Former Napoli chief calls for shorter Serie A transfer windows | OneFootball

With the introduction of a new 10-day June transfer window, former Napoli director Mauro Meluso urges all European football to agree on shortening the process. ‘It should be July 1-30, then 15-20 days in January.’

The FIGC today accepted the proposal from the Lega Serie A to add an extra transfer window from June 1-10 for registering new players.

Although this was introduced to help Inter and Juventus prepare for the Club World Cup, as otherwise some contracts will expire during the competition that ends on July 13, it will be open for all Serie A teams.

This prompted more discussion on the general approach to the transfer market, as clubs are increasingly irritated that negotiations are in full sway during official fixtures.

Serie A transfer sessions are ill-timed

epa11685677 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman scores the 4-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona, in Bergamo, Italy, 26 October 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“I am in favour of a shorter transfer market, but it has to be done in concert with the other Federations, at least the other European ones,” former Napoli director of sport Meluso told Tuttomercatoweb.

“I maintain we should propose to UEFA an initiative that shortens the dates in Europe. I would like it to be a month, from July 1-30, as in a month you can do plenty. This is also because, let us be clear, the transfer market itself really begins much earlier, already in March.

“Over the summer, a month will do, then in January 15-20 days. There is no logic to making it drag on for so long.”

With seasons increasingly starting in mid-August, coaches do not have complete squads at their disposal until well into the campaign, let alone during the crucial period of pre-season training camps.