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The January transfer window is about to open but, as usual, there are some differences in deadlines between the various major leagues, although nothing like the three week gap between the Premier League and competing divisions that was seen in the summer, and which was attributed as causing some of the instability behind the scenes seen at clubs like Manchester United and Spurs.
This time the window will open on January 1st for clubs in England, France, Germany and China, on the 2nd for Italy and Spin, with Portugal having to wait until the following day. Clubs in Russia will not be able to buy or sell players until January 22nd.
In England all deals must be done by 11 pm on January 31st, the same day that the window closes in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Portuguese clubs have a day longer, whilst Russia, as befitting their late start, also have a late finish on February 21st. Not as late as Chinese clubs though – their window remains open until February 27th.
Once the transfer window is shut, clubs must submit, by 2 pm UK time on Wednesday, February 5th their 25-man squads for the rest of the season.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.