LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Premier League transfer window likely to open late August

Apr 28, 2020

The Premier League transfer window is unlikely to open until the end of August, in line with the latest plan to complete the current season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. — LONDON, ENGLAND: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after he scores his side’s first goal on February 16, 2020. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The Daily Mail report that the Premier League transfer window is unlikely to open until the end of August. Clubs are currently planning to do business in September.

Previously, the plan was for the summer window to open in mid-June and close in early September. Clearly, that’s not going to work with the current plans for the conclusion of the season.

Most likely, the Premier League will return in June and end between late July and mid-August. Plans for the Champions League final suggest it will take place around the end of August. After that, it makes sense to reopen the transfer window.

This is still going to create some problems. The Premier League are planning to start the 2020-21 campaign in mid-September, so unless the window is extremely short, it’s going to significantly overlap with the new season.

Lower league clubs are pushing for a longer and more flexible window, and it’s still open for discussion. Late August is just the most likely option for it to open at this stage.