The summer transfer window is coming to an end. While the European top leagues almost all close on the same day, clubs from Saudi Arabia still have the opportunity to sign players afterwards.
Even in its final phase, the transfer market still holds a few surprises. The infamous “Deadline Day” is getting closer and closer. Until 2021, this was scheduled for 31 August in most European leagues, but since 2022, clubs can still sign new players up to and including 1 September. In the Dutch Eredivisie, the transfer deadline is still 31 August.
There are differences between the other top leagues as far as the exact deadline of 1 September is concerned. In the Bundesliga, for example, registrations may only be made until 6 p.m., while clubs from the Premier League and La Liga still have until midnight – this also applies to clubs from Austria, by the way. The transfer window in Serie A closes at 8pm, in Ligue 1 at 11pm. So, for example, it would theoretically be possible for Paris St. Germain to sign Randal Kolo Muani even after the German transfer window has closed.
Which countries only close after 1 September?
Players can still be transferred after 1 September – but only to countries whose transfer window is still open after that date. For example, players could still be sold or loaned to Belgium (deadline 6 September) or Turkey (deadline 8 September). Transfers to the US MLS are already no longer possible, as the transfer window closed on 2 August.
Another exception to the 1 September deadline, which is particularly relevant this summer, is the Saudi Pro League in Saudi Arabia. The league from the Gulf state has already lured players such as Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané to the league there with huge contracts and transfer fees in this transfer period.
Saudi clubs have until 20 September to sign players – which could be extremely painful for top European clubs as they would not be able to bring in replacements if they moved to the Saudi Pro League after 1 September. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp had already lamented this problem and demanded: “UEFA or FIFA must find a solution to this. “
Uncontracted players as an exception
Uncontracted players are an exception to all deadlines. They can still be signed afterwards, as no negotiations with another club are necessary for the signing of the player.