WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 4: Darnell Furlong of West Bromwich Albion celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 3-0 during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End at The Hawthorns on May 4, 2024 in West Bromwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
The major transfer window change that could accelerate West Brom’s summer signing plans..
West Brom must prepare for big changes in the upcoming summer transfer window.
West Bromwich Albion will have to conduct their transfer business slightly differently this summer as changes have been agreed by the Premier League and English Football League (EFL).
It was reported earlier this week that the Premier League and EFL, in line with the Football Association, have agreed to move the summer transfer deadline forward to 7pm. That means clubs will have to get their business over the line four hours earlier than usual, with the deadline in previous windows at 11pm.
West Brom and their Championship rivals will have to accelerate their plans on Deadline Day as a result, with quite the rush to take place. The idea is to ensure those involved can have a more normal working pattern rather than staying up much later than usual, in particular those who work as officials or admins for clubs and leagues.
It’s expected that deal sheets will still be utilised to allow clubs a little extra wiggle room after the deadline to complete the formalities of transfers, as long as they have handed in enough of the official paperwork to the FA on time. For the signings of players from abroad, that will still apply, although clubs will then have until midnight to comply with separate FIFA requirements.
When does the summer transfer window open?
Not only will there be an earlier deadline on the final day, but there’s another, more significant change coming this summer. It’s been agreed that the EFL will be included in the new second window being introduced with the FIFA Club World Cup in mind, even with EFL sides not involved in that competition. It’s been agreed that business can be started early in a short window from June 1 to June 10.
This adjustment will theoretically accelerate Albion’s summer plans, though there will be a brief close of business between June 10 and June 16 as transfer windows are unable to exceed 89 days in length. The second window will run from June 16 until September 1. The deadline for both windows, as mentioned previously, will now be at 7pm instead of 11pm.
The Baggies are still managerless following the sacking of Tony Mowbray but that won’t stop them preparing for what’s expected to be a significant transfer window. As Mowbray alluded to during his final press conference, a squad overhaul is likely as several important and high-earning players are leaving, while there are many positions that need addressing.
Albion are understood to be in the market for a new striker, attacking midfielder, winger, centre-back and right-back. Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jamie Donley has been pinpointed as a potential loan signing for the number 10 role and shortlists are being drawn up for the other positions.
As bad as it may sound, West Brom typically have a disconnect between the manager and recruitment team when it comes to bringing in new signings. As a result, the Baggies don’t even need to have a new head coach before they get their business kickstarted.
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