The luxury North West property hotspots sought out by Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool and Everton stars

As the years go on, Manchester United and Manchester City continue to splurge hundreds of millions of pounds on new talents to take on the Premier League.

Rasmus Hojland, Mason Mount and Andre Onana are just some of the high-profile stars that arrived at Old Trafford this summer as Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku all headed towards the Etihad Stadium.

These big-earners of course need places to call home in the area and will no doubt have taken tips from new teammates on the best areas in Greater Manchester and Cheshire to live.

Knutsford, Cheshire East

Average house price - £577,378

Population - 13,259

Knutsford has emerged as a favourite for Premier League stars thanks to offering a calmness away from the city centre but all the shops, bars and leisure facilities you may need, including a golf club and spa. The town's two main streets, known as Top Street and Bottom Street, are where the action tends to happen.

The town is also close to the M6 and M56, meaning it attracts players from Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton as well as the Manchester giants.

Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford are known to have set up home in the area with John Stones also reported to splash £3.5 million on a mansion in Knutsford. Peter Crouch and Phil Jagielka are two other famous previous residents.

Bramhall, Stockport

Average house price - £519,296

Population - 17,436

A little further east than some of the other Cheshire hotspots, Bramhall still offers bountiful countryside and the type of luxury home that might attract a top tier footballer.

There are two golf clubs in Bramhall, with the sport known to be a favourite of Premier League stars in their downtime. There's also plenty of action with restaurants and pubs in the centre.

The area was famously home to George Best and was also chosen to be home by Manchester City star Phil Foden.

Bowdon, Trafford

Average house price - £823,612

Population - 9,228

It's easy to see why beautiful Bowdon attracts Premier League stars thanks to its leafy lanes, with the majority of the ward owned by the National Trust s part of the Dunham Massey Estate.

The average house price in Bowdon is £823,612, but most of the property sales contributing to that are flats. A detached house, the type a Manchester United or Manchester City star may plump for, will go for £1,527,015 on average.

The village is also a short distance from training ground Carrington and is known to have attracted big names looking for some peace and quiet away from the high life, including Red Devils hero Marcus Rashford.

Hale, Trafford

Average house price - £749,108

Population - 15,315

Next to Bowdon is equally respected Hale, which offers a similar lifestyle and luxury to that of its Cheshire neighbour.

Hale is a historic village with references to it going all the way back to the Doomsday Book of 1086. The area is reported to have some of the most expensive property in the country outside of London, so it's no surprise to hear it pulls in some big-earning football stars.

Ex Red Devil Phil Neville sold his family home in Hale for a reported £5.25 million and the village is also home to current star Luke Shaw.

Alderley Edge, Cheshire East

Average house price - £711,151

Population - 4,780

Part of Cheshire's Golden Triangle, the luxury homes available in Alderley Edge are no secret. A browse at homes for sale in the area at any moment can show the type of home that may bring in Premier League stars.

There's a sought-after selection of upmarket cafes and posh shops in the area too, although the old wives' tale of The Wizard of the Edge may give some the heebie-jeebies.

Alderley Edge was famously home to David Beckham and has also been the stomping ground of Cristiano Ronaldo, Dwight Yorke, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and more.

Prestbury, Cheshire East

Average house price - £739,795

Population - 3,471

Just down the road from Alderley Edge is Prestbury, which is another corner of the Cheshire Golden Triangle.

The area has been coined as the 'Knightsbridge of the North' thanks to its affluence and residents. However, Rightmove does report that house prices dropped by 7% over the past 12 months.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has called Prestbury home, as has Manchester City defender Kyle Walker.