The English Premier League’s transfer window will open on Thursday 17 May in order to fall into line with the FIFA rules.
The regulations of the world’s governing body state that every league must have at least one transfer window in a calendar year that lasts for 12 weeks.
It was agreed earlier this season that the English transfer window will close before the season begins, which means the next one will shut on August 9 instead of the usual August 31.
To ensure that the transfer window lasts for the required 12 weeks, the English Football Association will announce that player movements can begin on Thursday.
The Premier League is expected to formally announce the change by Wednesday evening with member clubs able to buy and sell players from Thursday.
The EFL is thought to be planning a similar statement.
Outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been a proponent of the closure of the window before the season begins, arguing that players needed “clarity.”
“It’s important that we close all that stuff before the championship starts,” he said.
“Players have no clarity. Are they in? Are they out? Will they be tapped up on the afternoon of a game? It’s not the way to work.”
