Premier League transfer window could stay open until March 2021 due to coronavirus crisis

Posted Friday, May 22, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Premier League transfer window could stay open until March 2021 due to coronavirus crisis (Image: GETTY)

Premier League clubs could be allowed to trade until March when the next transfer window gets underway under proposals being considered by FIFA.

Premier League clubs could be given a longer period to sell and sign players due to the coronavirus crisis. FIFA is looking at proposals for the next transfer window, which is set to be greatly affected by financial side-effects of COVID-19.

A number of clubs in the English football pyramid face the prospect of relying on player sales to bolster their finances because the 2020/21 campaign is likely to be played behind closed doors.

FIFA have already discussed keeping the next transfer window open all the way to January but they could now extend it further into the third month of the year. Before the transfer window system was implemented in 2002, clubs had until the third Thursday of March to finalise their squads.

The globe's governing body have been talking to major leagues, federations and agents about the best way to operate the next transfer window.

It is feared the next transfer window will be a quiet affair due to financial concerns of clubs. The market could be dominated by swap deals in a bid to freshen up squads.

Meanwhile, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber believes Premier League bosses must listen to the concerns of high-profile players such as N'Golo Kante and Troy Deeney for Project Restart to be a success.

Deeney and Kante are among a number of aces refusing to train - Phase One got underway on Tuesday - because of health concerns amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are nearly 40,000 people that have died from this virus in the last two months in this country alone," Barber said.

“When you have a backdrop like that, it would be incredibly insensitive and disrespectful not to take into account anyone’s fears .

“We have to address those fears – whether they’re public or private. I’d rather they were out in the open for us to try and allay as quickly as we can.

“All the players that have spoken out have spoken honestly. They’ve expressed their fears. We’ve all got them.

“We’ve all got family members in more vulnerable positions than ourselves – it’s absolutely right and proper that people have that freedom to speak out.”

The Premier League are targeting a date of June 12 to restart the 2019/20 campaign, although Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos has suggested play is set to resume a week later.