The summer transfer window has only been open for a few days but is already set to close in a matter of hours. Plenty of deals have been getting done across the and elsewhere, but things will come to an abrupt end at 7pm (UK time) this evening. The likes of , and have all moved quickly to improve their squads.
Manchester United have also been working hard in the market but are yet to announce any summer signings. They are said to be chasing the signature of Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo but that Tottenham could hijack the move. Arsenal, meanwhile, have also failed to push any deals over the line and only have a few hours left before the window closes.
Express Sport looks at why the window is closing tonight as part of a completely new structure...
Why is the transfer window shutting today?
The transfer window is closing tonight because it has been split into two parts on either side of the expanded Club World Cup. The new-look tournament, which is taking place in the United States and features 32 teams, will begin this weekend.
The window will be closed for a period of six days, during which time Premier League and EFL clubs will not be allowed to sign players. It will reopen on Monday 16 June and run through to Monday 1 September, when it will close for good.
Why does there need to be a six-day closure?he unusual six-day gap between the two windows is due to a Premier League regulation, which states the window must open 'at midnight on the date 12 weeks prior to the date on which it is to conclude'.
The early period before the Club World Cup is considered an exceptional registration period and does not fall under the above guideline.
Because the window can only last for a maximum of 12 weeks, there needs to be a break to prevent it from exceeding that period of time due to the early start.
As a result, it has to close for six days to allow the window to run until the final deadline at the start of September.
Why has the deadline been changed?In another twist to the tale, both transfer windows will close at 7pm rather than the usual time of 11pm. The change, which has been ratified by the Premier League and EFL, has been introduced to allow a more normal working pattern for staff.
Other leagues in Europe are expected to follow a similar format. As always, teams will have a two-hour grace period after the deadline to complete any transfers which have not yet been signed off, provided deal sheets are submitted.
