Premier League clubs in talks to end transfer window before start of season
Premier League clubs will discuss closing the summer transfer window this year on August 14, two days before the start of the 2025-2026 season, when they meet on Thursday – a measure that was previously introduced in past years and then abandoned.
The proposal is currently scheduled to go to a vote which would require a super-majority of 14 to pass but if the preliminary discussions between owners and chief executives suggest there is little support for the idea among that cohort it is likely to be stopped pre-vote.
The idea was formulated in early February at a meeting of sporting directors from the 20 clubs, and those in similar roles, who feel that it would be better for managers to have their squad in place before the season begins.
But there are problems persuading other European leagues to fall into line and then there is the question of the Saudi Pro League, now globally the second-biggest spender on fees after the Premier League.
The Saudi clubs spent £119 million in the last January window and have indicated that they will continue to bid against Premier League clubs for the best players. Many Premier League owners and executives feel that shutting the window earlier would give them a disadvantage in negotiations.
Telegraph Sport reported last month that the consortium of Premier League sporting directors had also suggested that the January window be cut to two weeks to minimise disruption to the managers' squads.
In the summer players can arrive and leave after the season has begun and it was the view of the sporting directors that preparation, as well as the integrity of the league, would be better served by stopping all trading before the 2025-2026 season starts on Saturday August 16.
The summer window shut early in 2018 and 2019 in time for the start of the season although that was found to be disadvantageous in the market and so the clubs reverted to the old system after the Covid-disrupted season.
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