The dust has barely settled on the season but the summer transfer window is already upon us, and this year it’s again a difficult equation to get your head around with so many different opening and closing times at home and across Europe.
When does the premier League transfer window open and close?
Domestically, the Premier League transfer window will open on Thursday May 16 and close on at 5pm on Thursday August 8, just before the start of the new season.
Premier League teams can still sell players until the official end of the window on Monday September 2, so teams have to get in the market quickly to bring in the players they need.
Although it helps with incomings, Premier League teams will still be fearful that teams from around Europe could swoop in later on in August to sign their best players without the chance for them to bring in reinforcements.
When is the EFL transfer window?
Here’s where it gets a bit complicated as the EFL Championship and League One and Two have different transfer window dates.
The Sky Bet Championship is aligned with the Premier League meaning all signings must be completed by August 8, which crucially also includes loan moves.
For League One and League Two, they will adhere to the traditional deadline day of September 2 to make all of their transfers and loans.
When is the summer transfer window in Europe?
There is a little bit of difference in the big leagues across Europe, with Italy being the closest to the Premier League with their deadline day coming on August 18.
Spain, Germany and France though all go right down to the end of August which, many Premier League clubs argue, puts them at a disadvantage given that they can still come sniffing around Premier League players.
It could even work in their favour to wait before trying to sign a player away from a Premier League team – and given how English sides have dominated European competitions this season that may now actually be a bad idea!
Transfer windows across Europe
Italy June 1- August 18
France June 11 – August 31
Germany July 1 – August 31
Spain July 1 – August 31
Who will be the biggest transfers of the summer?
Eden Hazard is the biggest name almost certain to be making the move away from Chelsea, with Real Madrid huge odds-on shots to sign the Belgian playmaker this summer.
Hazard says his decision has already been made and we may even know what is happening before Chelsea play in the Europa League final in Baku.
Paul Pogba could be heading out of Manchester United this summer after being abused by fans at Old Trafford after the final day defeat to Cardiff.
Ajax’s bright young side looks like breaking up with a number of their stars being chased by Europe’s big guns, and with midfielder Frenkie De Jong already set to join Barcelona this summer.
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