The Premier League could be forced to operate two separate transfer windows this summer due to disruption caused by the Club World Cup.
Fifa has announced plans to open an interim transfer window at the end of this season for clubs competing in the tournament, to allow clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City to add to their squads and agree contract extensions with their current players before the tournament begins on 14 June.
Many of the other Premier League clubs are unhappy at the prospect of being shut out of the market during this period however, and want the domestic window to open earlier than usual so they are not at a disadvantage. Last year the summer transfer window was open between 14 June and 30 August.
Fifa’s interim transfer window for Club World Cup teams will be open from 1-10 June. Under Fifa regulations, though, the maximum amount of time permitted for a transfer window is 89 days, so it is not possible for the Premier League to allow moves all summer.
Opening the domestic window on 1 June to align with Fifa’s plans would therefore force the Premier League to shut it early, before the end of August, leaving clubs vulnerable to late bids for players from elsewhere in Europe and from Saudi Arabia.
One option under consideration by the Premier League is to open the transfer window at the start of June before closing it when the Club World Cup begins, and then opening again later in the month. Fifa will permit national associations with clubs in the competition to open their own windows early to ensure a level playing field within their country, but not those in the rest of the world. This additional provision also applies to the EFL.
The world governing body announced the opening of an exceptional transfer for Club World Cup competitors after a Fifa council meeting last October, with the initial intention for it to be restricted to those taking part in the competition. Many clubs have taken the view that if the window is open, it should be open for all, and have urged the Premier League to mirror Fifa’s dates as far as is possible.
The issue is particularly pressing for Premier League clubs who are struggling with the competition’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), including Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa, as player trading this June is likely to be crucial to them complying with the regulations. Newcastle and Villa only avoided a PSR breach and likely points deduction for this season by selling players, such as Elliot Anderson and Douglas Luiz respectively, before the 30 June reporting deadline and United have been candid about finding themselves in a similar position this year.
Fifa has also given permission for Club World Cup clubs to agree exceptional two-week contract extensions with players whose deals are due to expire on 30 June, such as Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, to allow them to complete the tournament. The Club World Cup final will take place on 13 July, by which point De Bruyne will technically be out of contract, as will Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich and the Real Madrid trio of Luka Modric, Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vázquez.
after newsletter promotion
Under the terms of Fifa’s exceptional transfer window any player can sign for a new club before the Club World Cup begins, but they cannot play for two different clubs in the competition. Fifa has also established a separate window for exceptional player registrations for Club World Cup teams between 27 June and 3 July.
Clubs can use this period to replace players whose contracts are due to expire during the tournament and have not re-signed. They will be permitted to bring in two extra players who do not count towards their 35-man squad limit.
The Premier League discussed the issue of the summer transfer window with clubs at last week’s shareholders’ meeting in London without reaching a firm conclusion. Opening the window on 1 June before shutting it briefly at the start of the Club World Cup is thought to be the most likely outcome.
The inaugural Club World Cup is an unwanted addition to a crowded calendar for the Premier League, which is party to a legal action led by the World Leagues Association and the international players’ union, FifPro, against Fifa over an alleged lack of consultation. The competition has also triggered another conflict between the Premier League and Manchester City, whose request for a delayed start to the 2025-26 domestic season has been rejected, much to the annoyance of Pep Guardiola.
Source: theguardian.com
