English top-flight chiefs vote to close window early
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs last night agreed to close the summer transfer window the day before the start of next season.
This means clubs will not be allowed to register any new players after 5pm on Thursday, August 9, 2018, but they will still be able to sell players to clubs in leagues where the window is still open.
Yesterday’s vote, which was not unanimous, followed weeks of debate about the uncertainty caused to managers and players by three weeks of transfer activity and speculation at the start of a new campaign.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s switch to Liverpool only five days after playing for Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield was raised as an example of the extended window’s potential threat to the integrity of the league.
Not every club has been convinced of this argument, though, with several understood to be concerned about closing the window much earlier than other European leagues.
The decision means Premier League clubs will be unable to replace players they lose to foreign teams in the last few weeks of the window.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton welcomed the decision. Hughton, who signed Sporting Lisbon defender Ezequiel Schelotto but missed out on Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen on deadline day, said: “That is good news.
“You have a hectic enough time as it is preparing for the season.
“It would make it uncomfortable going into the first week, but most of us would prefer to have it then than what we have now, going into the early weeks of the season.”
Swansea head coach Paul Clement outlined his support for the early closure of the transfer window last month.
He said: “I welcome it,” Clement said. “My view has not changed and it has been further reinforced because it got crazy towards the final days.
“It should be done before the start of the season so you can concentrate all your efforts on and preparing for the matches.”