Premier League clubs have agreed to return to the summer transfer window closing at the end of August, as opposed to closing before the season starts.
Longer Summer Transfer Window Returns for Premier League Clubs
Official Statement
Following a shareholders’ meeting, the Premier League released an official statement. It read: “At a Shareholders’ Meeting today, Premier League clubs voted to adopt a change to the Summer Transfer Window closing date for season 2020/21.
“This will move the closing date back to the traditional point at the end of August/early September.
“The 2020 closing date will therefore be 17:00 BST on 1 September (31 August 2020 being a UK Bank Holiday).
“Clubs agreed after discussing the topic at length at previous Shareholders’ Meetings.”
Why Change Back?
Premier League adopted a new approach to summer transfer windows two seasons ago, deciding to close the window before the start of the season.
However, clubs in Europe kept their transfer windows in the same format. As a result, in-demand Premier League players were still able to join new clubs.
This caused friction and debate among Premier League managers and squads. Christian Eriksen was kept out of the Tottenham Hotspur side by Mauricio Pochettino at the beginning of this season due to interest from Real Madrid.
Previously, top-flight clubs were in favour of the transfer window closing before the season began. It allowed them to have a settled squad and be in full preparation for the season ahead. However, as a result of European clubs not following the trend, the decision has been taken to now revert back to the old format.
With the 2020/21 Premier League season beginning on Saturday 8 August, it means that there may be four games before the end of the transfer window, with it set to shut at 5pm on Tuesday 1 September 2020, allowing for Matchweek Four to be played.
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