EPL panics over Saudi League spending want FIFA to bring transfer deadline forward

Aug 5, 2023 - 11:19

Premier League clubs are set to lobby FIFA to bring forward Saudi Arabia's transfer deadline to prevent them being plundered for players after the European window closes.

Any approach to FIFA would be made by the English FA, who are aware of concerns that have been strongly articulated by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp but have yet to receive a formal request to take action.

Saudi Pro League clubs have spent over £350m on new players this summer, the fifth-highest outlay of any league in the world, with more big spending expected to follow.

The Saudi transfer window is due to close on September 7, six days after Europe’s top leagues including the Premier League, leading to fears that players could be destabilised by lucrative offers next month when their clubs are unable to replace them.

The Saudi transfer deadline was brought forward from September 20 earlier this year at the request of the Saudi Football Federation, but given the extent of their club spending and the fact that most of their top players are being recruited from Europe, the Premier League would like complete harmonisation.

FIFA are in charge of managing the international transfer system in consultation with the national associations, with any request for changes to be handled by the FA, who also manage the domestic window with the Premier League and EFL.

There will be no approach to FIFA this summer as all parties concede it is too late to make changes once the window is open, but the issue is expected to be raised when the Premier League clubs hold their first shareholders' meeting of the new season next month.

The Chinese transfer window was previously a problem for Premier League clubs as during the winter Super League clubs are permitted to sign players until 28 February, but the collapse of that market since the Covid-19 pandemic has meant it is no longer a problem.

Given the extent of their resources,