EPL clubs vote to close transfer window before season kick off

[Bonnyloyal]

Premier League clubs have voted to close next summer's transfer window before the 2018-19 season starts.

Managers have complained that allowing players to move once the season is under way causes disruption to their squads and preparations.

From next season, the window will close at 17:00 BST on the Thursday before the Premier League campaign begins.

The vote was not unanimous and clubs will still be able to sell players until the end of the normal window.

The window across Europe runs until 31 August.

Fourteen Premier League clubs voted in favour of the amendment, which was the minimum total needed for the plans to be approved. Five voted against and there was one abstention.

The Premier League's move means while clubs will be able to sell until that date, buying activity will cease on 9 August for the 2018-19 season.

European leagues will still be able to buy and sell until 31 August, while the Football League's window also remains unaltered.

Football League bosses have indicated they could follow the Premier League's move but require further dialogue with stakeholders before a decision is made.

 

[Superrangers]

A good move. It does not help sides to have such disruption.

 

[BrianLaudrup5263]

Absolutely mental move imo. Being able to buy after the first few games gives you room for manoeuvre if you've got your signings slightly wrong or pick up a bad injury early in the season. That's all before you consider losing players to other countries and not being able to replace them.

 

[StaunchGer54]

The way it should be

 

[Sebo1872]

It will make for a more exciting season and transfer window plus it helps those of us who like to play the fantasy football games.

 

[BobbyShearer]

Quite sensible.

Should also help us as it would mean settled squads may give us more scope for loans

 

[jaws73]

A bit of common sense at last.

Next stop - get the insane transfer fees down.

 

[Spinning Blue]

Agree with this move. Mental that players can move after the season stats.

 

[albionrose]

Good move.

 

[Stephenj5]

Good move for fantasy football. Also makes a lot of sense to have all transfer business sorted before kick off!

 

[Quijibo]

So on the day after the window closes Harry Kane is offered his buyout clause by a country which is still open. Barcelona for instance, they can't deny him the conversation and now they can't replace him.

From a CL perspective it works well for Barca, they get drawn with an EPL team who can't trade any further and they offer a buyout figure and the EPL team has no right to reposte.

 

[Gascoigne8]

It only works if other European leagues will follow suit which I doubt they will

Plus a shorter transfer window might push the over inflated fees even higher

 

[rwbj]

Most sensible decision