Later this week, the Premier League clubs will vote on when the transfer window should open this summer.
Originally, scheduled to begin on June 8th, but delayed because of the coronavirus and the 14 week delay to the season, it is now expected that clubs will vote in favour of the window opening on July 27th.
And that will be extended through until October 5th, which is one day before the date when UEFA requires all clubs involved in their cup competitions for next season to declare their player registrations.
In the previous two years, the Premier League season had closed before the start of the season, something which a number of clubs had been unhappy about because it put them at a disadvantage compared to their European competitors, many of whom had three or four weeks to complete their transfer dealings.
However, this year, dates across Europe are likely to be roughly harmonised, with the UEFA deadline providing a useful backstop.
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.