Transfer deadline day extension for Port Vale
The Football League have announced a change in the transfer window rules for League One and Two clubs next season.
Prior to this season, the window stayed open until the end of August, three weeks into the new campaign. This meant English football was in line with the rest of Europe but it greatly annoyed managers who claimed it disrupted their plans, unsettled players and led to panic buys.
As a result, the Premier League narrowly voted to close the summer window before the start of the season, with the Football League following suit soon after. The move meant clubs had until August 9th to complete their business in 2018.
However, the move upset clubs in Leagues One and Two, who said the shortened window, coupled with their smaller scouting budgets, did not give them enough time to make signings and it put them at a disadvantage with other leagues.
In a statement, Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said the league will close the window for Championship clubs on August 8, in line with the Premier League, but keep it open for tiers three and four until the end of the month.
Harvey said: “By adopting this approach, EFL clubs have been given the opportunity to determine the direction of travel, with our priority ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of the arrangements as soon as possible so as to ensure plans can be put in place for next season.”