THE summer transfer window will close four hours earlier than usual.
But fears that Prem clubs could be exposed to losing players after incoming business ends appear to have been eased.
Prem and EFL chiefs, with the agreement of clubs in both leagues, have agreed that signings or paperwork will have to be lodged by 7pm on September 1.
Clubs who send a notice to register players will still have two hours to complete any deals between English clubs and allow them to play for their new sides.
For signing from overseas, there will be an additional two hours to complete all the paperwork.
The move from the 11pm closure is viewed as a way of preventing club staff and administrators having to burn the midnight oil well into the early hours when late-agreed deals are pushed through.
Some clubs voiced concerns that it could leave them open to the risk of losing players to major European clubs in the time frame between the English window shutting and the closure of the markets elsewhere.
But it is understood that discussion about “harmonisation” across major leagues has been productive.
The European Leagues umbrella group, which represents the majority of domestic competitions throughout the continent, is keen to get alignment.
European Leagues would ideally see the markets close BEFORE the start of the season.
Although it is accepted that such an agreement, while preferable in the future, is not feasible at this stage.
Another argument in favour of the early closure is that Fifa have already allowed the window to open early.
There is a 10-day transfer opportunity between June 1 and June 10 ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup.
The formal window will then close again until it reopens on June 16, shutting on September 1, while the winter window will run from January 1 to February 2.
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