Why does the January transfer window close in February?
Transfer windows were introduced to the Premier League in the 2002-03 season
- Published
For 2025, clubs have got more time - albeit only slightly more - to tie up their signings, loans and sales.
You can follow all the latest transfers here.
Why does the transfer window close in February?
The Premier League's first window of the year often ends on 31 January. But for 2025, the deadline is Monday, 3 February.
That is largely to align with the window dates of other European leagues.
A statement from the Premier League, external said the closing date was set following discussions with the German, Italian, Spanish and French leagues, to "ensure harmonisation".
Both the Scottish Premiership and Cymru Premier have a closing date of 3 February.
Has this happened before?
While the Premier League's window has previously closed in February, this will be the latest it has ever shut.
A February closing date has previously been chosen when 31 January was over a weekend.
World football governing body Fifa sets the two annual registration periods, but national associations can decide the exact dates and times the window shuts.
Do other European leagues have a later closing date?
Yes. The windows in Serie A (Italy) and the Primeira Liga (Portugal) close on 4 February, and in Turkey it’s a week later - on 11 February.
Clubs from these leagues will therefore be able to sign players from the Premier League, but the English teams would no longer be able to make purchases.
Other leagues have windows that started later in January, and therefore have closing dates that extend into late February and even March.
Saudi Arabia's market closes on 31 January.