Premier League clubs agree a new transfer window

Thursday 16 July at 1:45am

Premier League clubs have agreed a 10-week summer transfer window which opens on July 27 and will conclude on October 5th.

Subject to the approval of football's world governing body FIFA, the window will open the day after the 2019-20 season finishes and end on October 5, the date UEFA had recommended for the closure of registration periods across Europe.

The Premier League said that following consultation with the English Football League, a domestic-only window will also be added from October 5 and close on October 16.

Transfers between Premier League clubs will not be able to occur during this period, but top-flight sides can trade with EFL clubs and loan or sign players permanently.

The transfer window will open on the final day of the Premier League season (July 27th) and will close on October 5th, however it will close on October 16th for any domestic signings.

The EFL has confirmed its summer transfer window will open on the same day as the Premier League's but clubs will have an extra two weeks for domestic-only business.

A statement from the EFL read: "Subject to formal ratification, the transfer window will open fully on Monday 27 July, although any player registered before the completion of the 2019-20 season will not be eligible to play for their new club until season 2020-21 commences. This is applicable to clubs involved in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

"The window for international registrations closes at 11pm on Monday 5 October, with an agreement in place with the Premier League for an extended two-week domestic only window which will close at 5pm on Friday 16 October."

FIFA later announced that the option of using the five-substitute rule will be open to competitions for the 2020-21 season.

Fifa further announced that the five substitution rule will continue into next seasons competitions.

The measure, designed to help manage player workloads in seasons affected by the coronavirus pandemic, initially covered competitions finishing in 2020.

The directors of the International Football Association Board have now extended the amendment to the laws of the game to cover league competitions ending on or before July 31, 2021, and to international competitions scheduled for July and August of the same year.

Premier League clubs will need to decide whether to allow teams to use five substitutes per match next season.