Premier League confirm summer transfer window to close earlier
Premier League clubs have agreed to close the summer transfer window on the day before the start of the 2018-19 season.
The decision came despite opposition from Manchester United and Manchester City, and means clubs will not be allowed to register any new players after 5pm on Thursday, August 9, 2018.
They will still be able to sell players to clubs in leagues where the window is still open, as is currently the case.
In a short statement, the league said: "Premier League clubs have today agreed to a rule amendment that will see the summer transfer window in any year end at 17:00 on the Thursday before the start of the season.
"This is for Premier League clubs only and has no bearing on other leagues and competitions."
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Thursday's vote was not expected to result in a unanimous decision and that proved to be the case, as Press Association Sport understands United, City, Crystal Palace, Swansea and Watford went against the proposal, with Burnley abstaining.
The majority decision followed weeks of debate about the uncertainty caused to managers and players by three weeks of transfer activity and speculation at the start of a new campaign.
The fact that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool only four days after playing for Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield was raised as an example of the extended window's potential threat to the integrity of the league.
Not every club has been convinced of this argument, though, with several understood to be concerned about closing the window much earlier than other European leagues.
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