Transfer window to close earlier this summer as Premier League and EFL agree on 7pm deadline - Daily Mail
Daily Mail reports that the summer transfer deadline in England is set to close at 7pm, four hours earlier than in previous years, following agreement between the FA, Premier League, and EFL. The earlier cut-off is intended to reduce the strain on club and league staff, many of whom have previously worked into the early hours during deadline day.
The change will apply to the upcoming extended summer window, which has been divided into two parts due to FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup. The first window runs from June 1 to June 10, with the main window opening on June 16 and closing at 7pm on September 1.
While administrators welcome a more structured workday, some club officials have voiced concerns that the earlier deadline could complicate last-minute business, especially as clubs in other countries may continue trading beyond England’s new closing time. The final hours of the window are often the most intense, and critics argue that reducing them could hinder key negotiations.
Despite the earlier domestic cut-off, clubs signing players from abroad will still be able to finalize international paperwork until midnight, in line with FIFA’s rules. A decision on the January 2026 window closing time is yet to be confirmed.
Some European leagues are also reportedly considering an earlier deadline, indicating a broader shift in transfer window management across the continent.
