Premier League clubs are set to discuss a revised summer transfer deadline, after the rest of Europe opted against a closure before the season’s start.
The window closed for the English top flight on August 8, the day before Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Norwich on the opening night.
This was the second summer employing this new initiative, but also the second that top leagues across the continent retained their usual deadline, which for the likes of Italy, France, Germany and Spain is September 2.
Dejan Lovren is the most high-profile Liverpool player whose future is the subject of speculation in the final week of the window, and the No. 6 could still depart before next Monday night.
For other clubs across the Premier League, however, first-choice starters are pushing for the exit, with Tottenham‘s Christian Eriksen only starting once so far amid interest from Real Madrid.
Now, Sky Sports report that “clubs are scheduled to meet on September 12 for a routine discussion, and it is understood ‘several’ clubs would like to raise the deadline.”
But “there is no suggestion a formal vote will take place next month,” with this instead likely for either November or in the New Year.
Closing the transfer window before the start of the season is sensible in theory, but only if the rest of Europe followed suit.
Jurgen Klopp explained the issue with the current setup on Friday, insisting that “it must close at the same time.”
“That was the idea in the first place, when they spoke about ‘let’s finish it before the season starts’,” he said.
“Then everyone knows and can plan with the squad, that’s a good idea.
“But then only England did it and all the rest didn’t do it, and that makes no sense; in that moment England should have said ‘OK, it’s only for all or nobody’.
“[Keeping it this way] really makes no sense. If somebody could explain to me what the benefit is for the Premier League, what is it?
“We don’t really have a problem, but other teams, key players are still ‘on the market’, kind of, and anything can happen.
“You want to have the team not only together, you want to have the team together and focused on the future.
“That’s not possible as long as there is a door open.”
Lovren is among a host of players who may leave the Reds before the deadline at midnight on September, along with the likes of Ryan Kent, Bobby Duncan, Herbie Kane and Pedro Chirivella.
Kent, Duncan and Kane were all left out of the Liverpool under-23s trip to Southampton on Monday night, raising the possibility of imminent moves.
Fan Comments