The
Premier League has announced a reduced summer transfer window will continue
next year and will close the day before the start of the new season.
The move was rubber-stamped at Thursday's shareholders' meeting at which all
20 Premier League clubs were represented.
In an effort to reduce disruption and allow clubs to focus on their
football, this season's window was shortened, ending on August 9 rather than
the traditional deadline at the end of August.
Fourteen clubs voted for the early closure of the transfer window at a
meeting in September 2017, but five clubs, Manchester United, Manchester
City, Watford, Swansea City and Crystal Palace, were against the change.
A shortened window went ahead this year after a number of Premier League
managers and club officials complained about the negative impact of transfer
uncertainty and speculation on their players.
During the summer before last season, Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, Philippe
Coutinho and Virgil van Dijk were just four of a list of players who did not
play for their clubs as they pursued exits.
EFL clubs followed the Premier League's example last year by bringing their
transfer deadline forward but foreign leagues did not, resulting in two
transfer deadlines last summer.
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