EPL Transfer Window Moved Up to May 17 to Meet Football Rules

The English Premier League transfer window will be opening earlier than usual this summer in order to keep up with FIFA rules. It was announced this week that the 12-week time period in which clubs can send players to other clubs will begin Thursday May 17, a few weeks earlier than the customary June 1st date.

Change Should Make for Smooth Start

With Matchday 38 in the books after last Sunday’s final slate of contests, the madness of EPL transfer season is set to begin in earnest. The earlier opening falls in line with FIFA restrictions on the 12-week window after it was announced earlier this year that the window would close August 9, rather than the usual August 31.

The change is meant to allow the start of the upcoming season to go more smoothly for clubs and keep team chemistry and form from being too affected by player movement. The season will begin August 11, so ideally Premier League managers will have their squads set to go from the start.

The early opening also offers the unique opportunity for clubs to make a last-second addition in time for the FA Cup and Champions League Finals. While it’s unlikely Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool disrupt their team makeup during this pivotal time, it’s nevertheless a possibility.

Big Names Could be on the Move

The early transfer opening means the betting market on who’s going where is heating up sooner rather than later. Some of the biggest names in world football could be on the move and Paddy Power is on top of the latest odds.

Manchester United is expected to make a strong push for Welsh Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, and have also been linked to Paris St. Germain’s Brazilian megastar Neymar. They face favourable 7/5 odds of luring Bale to Old Trafford while Tottenham have 7/2 odds of bringing him back into the fold.

Neymar is listed at much longer 25/1 odds at ending up with the Red Devils who will additionally lose Luke Shaw. Tottenham (13/5 odds), Everton (10/3 odds) and Southampton (11/2 odds) are all potential landing spots for the left back.

While perennial Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to remain in Madrid at 1/7 odds, there are outside chances Chelsea (7/1), United (16/1) or Manchester City (33/1) could be in the conversation to bring him back to the Premier League.

League champions City may lose Raheem Sterling to Real Madrid (4/1) but will likely seek to replace him with Leicester star Riyad Mahrez (5/4) should he decide to leave the Foxes after helping to put them on the map in recent years.

Other Notes

As of now the Premier League is the only league that has voted to undergo the transfer window rescheduling, but it is believed that the English Football League One and other English leagues could eventually follow suit in order to maintain uniformity.

Obviously, the Premier League still must wait for the other leagues’ transfer windows to open in order to engage in negotiations with them, as the rest of the world will still abide by the traditional June 1st start date. Still, this change means that EPL sides will get a better chance to secure transfers before their assets head to Russia for the heavily anticipated 2018 World Cup.