Transfer window ... why?

[Edmundo]

It's been with us for a few years now, but what's the rationale for having a window? Why not let clubs buy and sell players whenever it takes their fancy?

 

[buzzybees]

Its sky sports idea.

 

[Banana]

It's been with us for a few years now, but what's the rationale for having a window? Why not let clubs buy and sell players whenever it takes their fancy?

Because big clubs need to submit their squads for the Champions' League twice per season.

 

[TOMOGP]

Also I understand to stop clubs overspending themselves in March with say 10 games to go to achieve promotion or stop relegation

 

[Banana]

Also I understand to stop clubs overspending themselves in March with say 10 games to go to achieve promotion or stop relegation

That was the transfer deadline which pre-dated the twice-yearly transfer windows.

 

[Edmundo]

Because big clubs need to submit their squads for the Champions' League twice per season.

Why should that affect the whole of football, though?

 

[bees66]

The window was introduced in response to negotiations with the European Commission. The system has been used in many European leagues before being brought into compulsory effect by FIFA during the 2002–03 season. English football was initially behind the plans when they were proposed in the early 1990s, in the hope that it would improve teams' stability and prevent agents from searching for deals all year around, but by the time it was eventually introduced they had to be persuaded that it would work. However, the exact regulations and possible exceptions are established by each competition's governing body rather than by the national football association.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_window

 

[ladbroke]

In a way, I think the window is what have driven prices up considerably. Certainly in January.

Before now, you could be patient with deals etc and effectively pay a small premium but now you have to get things done quickly and pay more than the going rate to get the person otherwise wait 6 months to try again.

 

[pompeybee]

Because otherwise we'd have to put up with the transfer speculation thread all season.

 

[WarrenBee]

It gives people with nothing between the ears to go and stand outside their local football clubs training ground, applaud any 4 X 4 that goes through the gates, then they can go home and watch themselves on SSN whilst banging one out.