Birmingham Mail column Weds Aug 7th 2018
The whole transfer window situation is confusing to say the least. The Premier League and English Football Leagues windows close at 5pm on August 9th.
However all other countries transfer windows do not close until August 31st so while English clubs cannot buy a player they can still sell them to any club where the transfer window has not closed.
Having said that, the Championship window closes on August 9th but clubs can still loan a player up until August 31st with a ring fenced agreement to make it a permanent deal when the window re-opens in January. Now I might appear thick but does that not mean the window in reality does not close on August 9th but closes on August 31st?
EFL clubs voted for the window to close on August 9th because they and I quote CEO Shaun Harvey who said "This new approach will give Clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of month if required."??
Of course the Championship clubs can loan a player without any agreement to make it permanent deal up until August 31st.