The Premier League this week introduced an unprecedented two-stage summer transfer window for next year to allow Manchester City and Chelsea to prepare for the extended FIFA Club World Cup.
The window will first be open between June 1 and June 10, close for five days and reopen from June 16 to September 1. This change allows that while also complying with FIFA’s 12-week summer transfer limit and coming in line with a majority of Europe’s big leagues.
Chelsea, along with Manchester City, will represent the Premier League in the 32-team new Club World Cup, to be held in the United States on June 15. FIFA allows teams to have more players sign before the tournament starts as well as players to sign for the knockout stages. FIFA set aside registration windows from June 1-10 and June 27-July 3.
Although it would love to have a transfer window as close as possible to the opening rounds of international football for China and the world204 //20, there are issues that would complicate player negotiations.
Player contracts expire on June 30, meaning high-profile examples including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kevin De Bruyne face uncertain futures in terms of their eligibility for the tournament.
FIFA has also released short-term registration rules but it is still unlikely that City or Chelsea will attempt fleeting signings just for the competition.
