Premier League transfer window to close early – but will rest of Europe follow suit?

The Premier League clubs this week voted to close the transfer window early from the 2018-19 season but how do the other major leagues in Europe feel about the decision and are they likely to follow in the footsteps of the English top flight?
The comments of Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, repeatedly underline his intense concern about the strength of the competition across Europe. France’s ability to take Neymar from Barcelona adds another dimension but it is the Premier League that the Spanish clubs seek to emulate and compete with; above all, it is the Premier League they must keep at bay and challenge for the best players. Any advantage must be sought, and a window that allows Spanish clubs an additional two weeks to sign after England has likely signed many of their players is an attractive proposition. It also allows their biggest two clubs longer to secure their targets, potentially giving them a better chance. This season Spain had an extra day. There was little advantage gained but an extra two weeks would be a different matter and is another reason why Spain is unlikely to follow suit. Sid Lowe
The Juventus CEO, Beppe Marotta, was quick to offer his club’s approval for the Premier League’s decision. He was joined in doing so by directors from a host of other influential Italian clubs – including Roma, Milan and Inter – and suggested that Serie A teams may bring a similar proposal to the Italian Football Federation in the near future. More significantly still, the Juventus chairman, Andrea Agnelli, has just been appointed to the same position on the board of the European Club Association. “These decisions are autonomous for each of the individual federations,” said Marotta, “but I believe that there needs to be a homogenous conversation at least between the most important leagues in Europe.” Paolo Bandini
There was a lot of praise for the Premier League clubs’ decision in Germany on Thursday. Jens Todt, the sporting director of Hamburg, said he would be prepared “to support any movement” towards making it happen in the Bundesliga too. “I welcome the developments England, I am absolutely in favour of the window closing earlier,” he told Sky Germany. Borussia Dortmund’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, added: “I would assume we would have a majority to get that through in Germany too. And even if the Spanish, Italian and French leagues don’t do the same the situation would be much calmer when Germany and England agree [to close the window early]. The issue was discussed at a meeting between Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs on Thursday and the newly founded DFL (Deutsche Fussball Liga) Football Commission will gather information and report back to the clubs. It is then likely to be put to a vote. The feeling is that it is currently 50-50 that a proposal to close the window early would succeed. Marcus Christenson
In less than 24 hours since the Premier League voted to close the summer transfer window before the first ball of the season is kicked, high-ranking figures in French football have called for the same format to be adopted in Ligue 1. In separate appearances in front of the media, Monaco’s vice-president, Vadim Vasilyev, called the move “a great decision”. Lyon’s owner, Jean-Michel Aulas, furthered this sentiment on Canal+, saying that “the transfer window must close before the season starts”. The league’s governing body, the LFP, confirmed late on Thursday that it would begin discussions to this effect immediately. The early tide in France is clearly with a move towards a shortened summer window. Adam White, Get French Football News
Portugal is coming out of a transfer window that lasted the best part of a week longer than those in England, Germany and Spain, and the lack of rush – a constant theme, especially when it comes to match scheduling – is intrinsic in the country’s footballing administrative fabric.
Still, there has been understanding for the Premier League’s move to shut up shop earlier, with Benfica’s coach, Rui Vitória, giving it his approval on Thursday. “If it closes earlier, we’ll have the same problems and unrest,” he said, “but much earlier. For coaches and for teams, we’d have a completely different stability. I think most coaches will feel the same.”
Vitória also flagged that it was likely to shift Europe’s boundaries as a whole, with the Premier League as market leader. Portugal’s incoming transfer business is reactive, moving to replace players sold elsewhere – with England the ideal market – so fewer sales would mean fewer purchases. Imports from South America, which will remain a large part of the football economy, tend to be planned months in advance and are unlikely to be affected. Andy Brassell

SOURCE : GUARDIAN SPORTS
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