Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Premier League clubs have voted for the transfer window to be moved back to 1 September to realign with Europe.
Over the past two seasons, the window in England was shut the day before the opening day of the top flight season, while other leading European leagues mostly extended to the end of August.
But after realising the move disadvantaged Premier League clubs, a decision has been made to adjust back to the previous standard, with the window set to shut at 5pm, rather than 11pm, on 1 September this year.
A Premier League statement said: "At a Shareholders’ Meeting today, Premier League clubs voted to adopt a change to the Summer Transfer Window closing date for season 2020/21.
"This will move the closing date back to the traditional point at the end of August/early September. The 2020 closing date will therefore be 17:00 BST on 1 September (31 August 2020 being a UK Bank Holiday).
Show all 51 1 /5150 biggest potential summer transfers 50 biggest potential summer transfers 50 biggest potential summer transfers We take a look at some of the biggest potential transfers that could happen when the transfer window reopens this summer.
Getty
50 biggest potential summer transfers Edinson Cavani (PSG) Came close to leaving for Atletico Madrid in January and was also linked to numerous Premier League clubs. Out of contract in the summer.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Dries Mertens (Napoli) Another forward who was linked with a move to the Premier League and is available on a free transfer in the summer.
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Willian (Chelsea) Had previously claimed he was happy to stay at Stamford Bridge but his relationship with the club has deteriorated after a move to Barcelona broke down. Yet to be offered a new deal.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) Persistently linked with a move from Napoli to the Premier League. However, Real Madrid also hold an interest in the 28-year-old.
REUTERS
50 biggest potential summer transfers Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) Appeared destined to leave Dortmund before Christmas. Has repaired his relationship with the club since then but still likely to move sooner rather than later. Has no shortage of suitors.
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) Real are desperate to offload him. A move to the Middle East or the MLS is, at this stage, more likely than a return to England.
AFP/Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) Out of contract in the summer. A long-term target for Arsenal.
Action Images via Reuters
50 biggest potential summer transfers Kylian Mbappe (PSG) PSG’s prize asset but had a very public falling out with Thomas Tuchel last week. He has recently spoken of his admiration for Liverpool although it is unlikely the Reds will pursue him.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Neymar (PSG) Given Lionel Messi’s dispute with Eric Abidal, could he return to Barcelona as a peace offering to the Spanish club’s brightest star?
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) A target of Liverpool’s. Leverkusen could be tempted into cashing in.
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Paul Pogba (Manchester United) United hope he will form a midfield partnership with Bruno Fernandes but the Frenchman has long been unsettled and could push for a move away.
PA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Was linked with all manner of clubs in January, including Bayern Munich. Once again: expect there to be no shortage of interest in his services and for the winger to push for a transfer.
Action Images via Reuters
50 biggest potential summer transfers Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig) The 21-year-old defender is Arsenal’s primary transfer target. Whether or not they can afford him is another matter entirely. Leipzig won’t offload him on the cheap.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Christopher Nkunku (Leipzig) Another Leipzig talent who has been linked to Arsenal. If he continues scoring goals in the Bundesliga, however, there is likely to be fierce competition for his signature.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Leroy Sane (Manchester City) Has endured a miserable season in Manchester and has been repeatedly linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
Bongarts/Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers John Stones (Manchester City) Pep Guardiola has intimated City need to rebuild in the summer – could they be tempted to cash in on Stones? The England international has fallen down the pecking order at City and there are serious doubts over whether he will ever regain his first-team place.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) If Aston Villa go down he will almost certainly move. If they stay up, he will be very difficult to prize away.
Action Images via Reuters
50 biggest potential summer transfers Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) The £71.6m signing has had a difficult season and there are whisperings Chelsea will look to replace him in the summer. If that’s the case, they will need to recoup a significant portion of the transfer fee that paid Athletic Bilbao.
PA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Sergio Romero (Manchester United) The United veteran reportedly wants first-team football: Villarreal and Real Sociedad are keen.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
50 biggest potential summer transfers Joshua King (Bournemouth) Came close to moving to Manchester United on deadline day. He is now reportedly unsettled and could leave Bournemouth when the window reopens.
PA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Islam Slimani (Leicester City) The Leicester misfit has enjoyed an unexpectedly prolific season on loan at Monaco and emerged as a target for numerous clubs in the winter.
AFP via Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) A target for Barcelona – and that was before the rumours Messi could leave. Will Aubameyang really be happy with yet another season playing for Arsenal with no Champions League football?
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Bertrand Traore (Lyon) The former Chelsea forward was linked to Leicester City and Bournemouth in the winter window. He won’t come cheap but expect more clubs to join the chase for the 24-year-old in the summer.
AFP via Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Jorginho (Chelsea) So important to Frank Lampard at Chelsea but there are rumours he wishes to return to Italy, to join forces with Maurizio Sarri for a third time, this time at Juventus.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Cengiz Under (Roma) The 22-year-old, who has endured an injury-plagued campaign for Roma, is reportedly a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Jude Bellingham (Birmingham City) Incredibly the midfielder is still only 16. Manchester United were the first to lodge an interest in the teenager. Manchester City have followed them in. Birmingham will be hoping a bidding war breaks out.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Adrian (Liverpool) Has impressed when called upon but, like Sergio Romero, could be tempted into a move back to Spain in pursuit of first-team football.
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Boubakary Soumare (Lille) A target for anybody and everybody. Just don’t expect him to move to Newcastle United.
AFP via Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Ozil has shown precious little desire to leave Arsenal in the past but, with whisperings of lucrative offers from different Qatar sides, could he finally be tempted into quitting the Emirates?
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) Was desperate to leave Chelsea in January to boost his chances of playing at Euro 2020. Didn’t get his wish and will almost certainly now leave this summer.
Reuters
50 biggest potential summer transfers Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) He couldn’t, could he? Arguably Liverpool’s most important player but is reportedly top of Juventus’ shopping list. File this one under ‘unlikely’.
PA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Out of contract in the summer. A money-spinning move to the MLS seems likely.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Richarlison (Barcelona) Was he or wasn’t he the target of a massive bid from Barcelona late into the winter window? Nobody seems to know. It doesn’t really matter. Everton will be braced for more interest this summer.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Isco (Real Madrid) So long a target of Tottenham Hotspur, Isco has in recent weeks been linked to both Chelsea and Liverpool. As with Gareth Bale, Real Madrid would be more than open to moving him on.
EPA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid) Has failed to make the grade at Atletico Madrid. Has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal and – rather surprisingly – Wolverhampton Wanderers.
REUTERS
50 biggest potential summer transfers Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Southampton) Reportedly Tottenham Hotspur’s main transfer target when the window reopens. Everton also hold an interest in the 24-year-old. Whether he remains at Southampton or not has a lot to do with whether they can avoid relegation.
PA
50 biggest potential summer transfers Layvin Kurzawa (PSG) Can leave on a free transfer in the summer. Arsenal are keen, as are Inter Milan.
AFP via Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Juan Foyth (Tottenham Hotspur) One of Mauricio Pochettino’s most highly-rated young players but he has struggled for opportunities under Jose Mourinho and is expected to push for a move away, having fallen behind 20-year-old Japhet Tanganga in the pecking order.
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
50 biggest potential summer transfers Emre Can (Juventus) Currently on loan from Borussia Dortmund from Juventus. The German club have an option to buy this summer, for £21m.
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) Has recently switched to an agency used by several Premier League stars, ratcheting up the speculation that he will leave Bayern Munich in the summer, particularly if they sign other targets.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Hwang Hee-chan (Salzburg) Poised to follow Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino out of the Salzburg exit door. A target for Wolves, Leicester and Lyon – amongst others – although likely to cost in excess of £30m.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Moussa Dembele (Lyon) Chelsea were desperate to land him in the winter. The Blues could face stiff competition from Manchester United if they return for him when the window reopens.
AFP via Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Timo Werner (Leipzig) Has been repeatedly linked with a move to Liverpool. Just this week, he admitted he would be open to moving to the European and world champions.
Getty
50 biggest potential summer transfers Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) Has failed to impress as Manchester City and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was offloaded quickly.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) Was close to tears after being taken off during Tottenham’s FA Cup win over Southampton. Has looked off the pace in recent weeks and his days at the top appear numbered. Could a return to the Eredivisie be on the cards?
REUTERS
50 biggest potential summer transfers Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) Loaned to Newcastle for the remainder of the season. Certain to leave Spurs permanently in the summer.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Danny Ings (Southampton) Is enjoying an incredibly prolific season that has attracted the interest of numerous different Premier League sides, but will be difficult to prize away.
Getty Images
50 biggest potential summer transfers Ben Chilwell (Leicester City) Chelsea are keen on the England left-back. But can they afford him?
AP
50 biggest potential summer transfers Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund) Out of contract in the summer. Has previously admitted he would be interested in a move to Liverpool but his wages could prove problematic.
Getty
50 biggest potential summer transfers Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) Chelsea are close to wrapping up a £40m deal to bring the Moroccan to Stamford Bridge at Frank Lampard's first signing
Getty
"Clubs agreed after discussing the topic at length at previous Shareholders' Meetings."
The 20 clubs met on Thursday to discuss the matter after initially deciding to prematurely close the window so as to avoid disruption after the season had begun.
The Premier League had anticipated other leagues following their move, but that has not been the case, with Premier League players instead still having the option to move abroad without the possibility of a replacement arriving.
The decision will please Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp , who claimed the move has not worked.
“I don’t care when it closes, but it must close at the same time,” Klopp said back in September.
Clubs will now be able to sign players up to 1 September (Getty) (Manchester United via Getty Imag) “They spoke about finishing it before the season starts. Good idea, but only England did it. That makes no sense. It was a good idea but it didn’t work out.”
While Danny Higginbotham welcomed the move by claiming that Premier League clubs have been put in a difficult position since the change.
"The only way it works for the Premier League is if you have it the same day as the rest of Europe," Higginbotham told Sky Sports. "We saw it this season. You actually put the Premier League teams in a difficult position as they can't do business but the rest of Europe could.
"The whole idea of the transfer window is to benefit the clubs in the Premier League and in the Football League. The more you look at it, you're actually destabilising the situations within the Premier League by saying the top teams in Europe can still go out and buy players up until August 31.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies