Major change to transfer window in works as Premier League clubs set for talks over move that was previously abandoned

PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are set to hold talks over changing when the summer transfer window shuts, according to reports.

Last summer the transfer window closed on August 31, 2024, and this summer it will open officially on June 12.

However, new plans could see the 2025 summer window closed on August 14, two days BEFORE the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The measure, put forward in early February at a meeting between the sporting directors of Prem clubs, is not new to English football, having been introduced and later abandoned in 2018 and 2019.

It means transfers such as Manuel Ugarte signing for Manchester United after already playing two league games could become a thing of the past.

Club chiefs will discuss the proposal in a meeting on Thursday, as reported by The Telegraph.

Passing the change will require a super-majority of 14 clubs, although if preliminary discussions indicate a lack of support it may be struck down before a vote.

The main argument in favour of the move is sporting directors believing the integrity of the league would be better served by stopping all trading before the season starts on August 16.

Additional discussions have proposed cutting the January transfer window down to just two weeks to minimise disruption to squads during the season.

One of the main problems with the idea comes in persuading other European leagues to echo the move.

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There is also the variable of the Saudi Pro League, who are globally the second biggest spender on transfer fees after the Premier League.

Saudi clubs spent £119million in the January transfer window after another huge spending spree in the summer.

Some club chiefs believe shutting the window early would handicap them by giving them a disadvantage in negotiations.

Stars such as Mohamed Salah and Andre Onana, exclusively revealed by SunSport, have been linked with moves to the Middle East in the coming summer.

Modern transfer windows came into effect in the Premier League during the 2002/03 season following the Bosman ruling, which changed the landscape of football.

Before then clubs were permitted to trade all-season, with huge signings like Eric Cantona to Man Utd happening on November 25, by which time the Red Devils had played 16 league games.