Transfer Window

[Stranded]

So seems there is a move afoot by the PL to shorten the summer window so that is closes before the season starts and it may be in place by next summer. In practice, this is a great idea and makes perfect sense as would mean teams will know their squad at the start and not spend the first few weeks not knowing is a player is coming/going.

However, it appears this is to be a unilateral decision by the PL, doesn't this automatically make it a flawed plan? If the rest of the major leagues can buy until the end of August, what is to stop a Barca/Real bidding silly money and turning the head of a key player like they always do. Only if it works, which it normally does, the selling club would be a man short.

I assume FL would have to follow suit with an earlier close too but one thing that could work is keeping a later FL window say 2 weeks after the PL closes so that Championship clubs can then pick up any players that don't make the 25 man PL squads.

Thoughts?

[Sanguine]

However, it appears this is to be a unilateral decision by the PL, doesn't this automatically make it a flawed plan? If the rest of the major leagues can buy until the end of August, what is to stop a Barca/Real bidding silly money and turning the head of a key player like they always do. Only if it works, which it normally does, the selling club would be a man short.

Yes, but no but yes.

Whilst you're right, it would be implicit that a player, like Coutinho for example, would have to move before the end of the PL window. He would know that Liverpool would not let him go after that date, and all the behind the scenes shenanigans would be done earlier.

I think this would be a good change. For one it would see an end to the slightly silly 'back injury' that players like Coutinho and Sanchez get for three weeks in August.

[Sutekh]

Still say the transfer window should be completely abolished.

Alternatively, as there's a window for players, why not a window for management...

Also heard someone suggest, if an under contract player did get all uppity and throw his toys out of the proverbial to get a move, that if that move did happen that player should be prevented from playing for his new club for a number of games.

[Stranded]

However, it appears this is to be a unilateral decision by the PL, doesn't this automatically make it a flawed plan? If the rest of the major leagues can buy until the end of August, what is to stop a Barca/Real bidding silly money and turning the head of a key player like they always do. Only if it works, which it normally does, the selling club would be a man short.

Yes, but no but yes.

Whilst you're right, it would be implicit that a player, like Coutinho for example, would have to move before the end of the PL window. He would know that Liverpool would not let him go after that date, and all the behind the scenes shenanigans would be done earlier.

I think this would be a good change. For one it would see an end to the slightly silly 'back injury' that players like Coutinho and Sanchez get for three weeks in August.

I guess it might be implicit but you can already see next summer that if say Real want De Gea and they make a move on the 2nd August and the player wants to go, could easily see the player threatening to sue the club for restraint of trade or some other tenuous reason they can think of.

[Sanguine]

could easily see the player threatening to sue the club for restraint of trade or some other tenuous reason they can think of.

Would only be even the slightest bit feasible in a case like Costa, where he has a text message saying he isn't in a manager's plans. Coutinho signed a 5.5 year deal in January, his trade is at Liverpool.

I do hope this change goes through.

[Jim Royal]

It can only work if you have it across all leagues. Otherwise it will give foreign clubs a distinct advantage.