Premier League to make major transfer window change impacting Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
Premier League clubs have agreed to change the summer transfer window end date, it has been claimed. The most recent trading period concluded on August 30, over two weeks into the start of the new season. However, that will reportedly not be the case in just under 12 months time.
The Times write that all 20 top-flight teams have agreed that next summer's window will shut on August 15, before the 2025/2026 campaign begins. That means late summer deals involving Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah and Scott McTominay would not have taken place had they occurred in 2025.
The proposed change makes some sense, with teams now unable to make squad changes after their opening two or three matches. However, deadline day is likely to be far less dramatic with many clubs, perhaps, calm and happy with how their squad is looking, something that could change drastically in just two weeks.
In 2018, this change was implemented before being quickly reversed 18 months later as Premier League clubs felt vulnerable to late raids from European sides and, while another U-turn has been made, at least this time the claim is that lingering fear isn't as big.
The expectation is that top European leagues will follow suit, but it's highly unlikely officials in Saudi Arabia make any changes with their summer window already closing days after the trading period in England and most of the major European leagues, too. Chelsea are among those to have benefitted from the Saudi Pro League's emergence with the Blues able to move on a number of outcasts, though there is a clear concern.
Clubs in the Middle East could spot an opportunity and pounce on the likes of Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Alisson, or Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne, with their respective clubs having no chance to replace them if an exit is sealed.
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The decision to make this change will, therefore, come as shock to most with the last five years proof that closing the summer window at the end of August works perfectly fine. With that being said, though, it's understood that no talks between clubs over the matter have taken place.