Sixteen of the 20 Premier League clubs are supposedly open to moving the summer transfer deadline to before the start of the season.

The chairman of each top-flight club will vote on the issue next month.

A host of managers have come out in favour of the move, claiming it is bad to start a campaign with an unsettled squad.

But Bilic has bucked the trend and claims the new deadline would mean Liverpool would be unable to sign a replacement if Coutinho were sold to Barcelona.

"I know the clubs are generally in favour of the transfer window closing before the start of next season - but I do foresee some problems," Bilic wrote in the London Evening Standard.

"The window will still be open in other countries and that could lead to players leaving and you not being able to sign replacements, which would make matters even worse.

"Take Liverpool, for example. If that rule changes, it would technically still not stop Philippe Coutinho going to Barcelona but it would prevent Liverpool signing a replacement.

"Yes, it would be better if the window was closed before the start of the season but only if it is right across the rest of the leagues in Europe. Otherwise, it could be even worse than it is now."

Europe's major football leagues all have their transfer windows in place until the end of August.

There is usually a one- or two-day differentiation between European leagues but the Premier League proposal would set the English deadline forward by three weeks.

The Football League has indicated it would follow the Premier League's decision to change the date of deadline day if it was voted on.

Originally posted here:
Philippe Coutinho transfer proves Premier League window can't close early - Slaven Bilic - Express.co.uk

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August 21, 2017 at 5:40 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Window Replacement