Early close for window

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are expected to support a change tomorrow that will see the summer transfer window close before the start of the season.

A vote on the issue is to be taken at the clubs’ summit in London, with almost all the clubs in favour of the new ruling. Only Manchester United and Watford are known to have doubts.

There needs to be 14 clubs in favour for a motion to be passed — a two-thirds majority which has helped keep the collective of the Premier League intact. One Premier League chairman said there was almost unanimous support for the switch at their last meeting and there had been no talk since of a change of view.

The Football League are broadly in favour of the same change and will discuss it at their next 72-club meeting on September 21.

THE WBO world heavyweight title fight between Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury at the Manchester Arena on September 23 is being broadcast on pay-per-view YouTube, after Amazon Prime won tennis rights for the major tournaments outside the Grand Slams. The trend of digital media giants acquiring sports content will be welcomed by the Premier League, who desperately need one of the new players to spice up the next TV tender — due out later in the year. BT Sport and Sky Sports can no longer be sure of having just each other to bid against.