It is all change this season for the transfer window. (Join in the transfer rumour discussion in the forum… stronger language!)
I had a brief exchange on twitter about it:
Aug 9th. Although players could still be sold abroad but UK teams couldn't bring any in after that up to end of Aug.
— Vital Villa (@VitalVilla) July 30, 2018
So thought I might as well spell out the changes for you all, what with me being a generous fella and all !
The rules were changed for this season and the transfer window closes in the domestic scene on Thursday August 9 2018 at 5pm..
But this is football, so it’s not quite that simple.
If there is a free agent, clubs will still be able to register them up to August 31st. And because other European leagues haven’t made these changes, players can still be transferred out to any league whose transfer window is still open. That’s ridiculous isn’t it?!
And loans?
The deadline for loan signings remains August 31.
And now reading up on the new rules, it appears there is a way around not being able to sign players on a permanent deal after August 9th. Teams will be allowed to loan a player with an option to a permanent transfer for the next window (January) up to August 31st.
Yup folks, yet more rules teams can get around. You have to laugh don’t you?
But there you have it, it does make sense for the window to close before the season starts, sadly they’ve messed up that date as the league seems to be starting early this year. But it is the same week, therefore, it is better than the whole month of disruption.