Premier League votes for early transfer window closure - EFL ramifications?

[Joe Jones]

From BBC Sport:

Premier League clubs have voted to close next summer's transfer window before the 2018-19 season starts.

Managers have complained that signing players once the season is under way causes disruption to their squads and preparations.

From next season, the window will close at 17:00 BST on the Thursday before the Premier League campaign begins.

The vote was not unanimous and clubs will still be able to sell players until the end of the normal window.

Fourteen Premier League clubs voted in favour of the amendment, which was the minimum total needed for the plans to be approved. Manchester United, Manchester City, Watford, Swansea and Crystal Palace voted against the proposal while Burnley abstained.

The window across Europe runs until 31 August. The Premier League's move means while clubs will be able to sell until that date, buying activity will cease on 9 August for the 2018-19 season.

European leagues will still be able to buy and sell until 31 August, while the Football League's window also remains unaltered.

Football League bosses have indicated they could follow the Premier League's move but require further dialogue with stakeholders before a decision is made.

The last bit is crucial - with the PL having blazed the trail with this decision, does it mean that the EFL also adopting it is imminent? Or could they say "nope, we want it to carry on until 11pm on August 31?"

Share your thoughts - both in terms of the standalone decision by the PL and what it could mean for the EFL.

[TheCalFoster]

They should just have no transfer windows and get on with it..

[Chris]

It makes little difference, it just means clubs will have to sign early and ensure contracts run out at fair points.

Will the transfer window effect free transfers though? The PFA won't be happy if it does.

[liampie]

i dont get why the fl needs to compete with the changes the pl aim to implement!