The big transfer window changes that could affect Newcastle United's plans for a big-spending summer

With a Saudi-led takeover on the horizon, the Magpies are expected to be big-spenders ahead of the 2020/21 season.

But will these changes have any material impact on Newcastle’s summer recruitment drive?

We take a look at the changes being proposed by the FA, and the effect they could have on Newcastle United and their Premier League rivals:

WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING PROPOSED?

The FA are considering moving the traditional transfer window period, to better reflect the gap between the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

Under current plans, the transfer window is set to open on June 18 – at which point the Premier League season will only just be resuming.

That planned date is expected to be shelved in England and across other European nations – with a new-look window set to run from August until October.

According to Sky Sports, there is a general consensus among European associations that this summer’s transfer window will end on Friday, October 2.

WHY ARE THESE CHANGES BEING PROPOSED?

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a host of seasons across Europe have been pushed back and will finish far later than originally planned. In turn, that means the 2020/21 season will begin later.

These changes are being proposed to allow clubs to finish the current season before turning their attentions to the transfer market.

With the Premier League season expected to finish in late July, it will give clubs a brief off-season period before the window opens.

WHAT HAVE OTHER COUNTRIES DONE?In France, where Ligue 1 has already been curtailed, the transfer window has already opened – but they are reportedly considering a second window, which will run from August to October, in order to facilitate international transfers.

Meanwhile in Italy, it has already been confirmed that their transfer window will run from September 1 to October 5.

HOW COULD THE CHANGES AFFECT NEWCASTLE UNITED?On the face of things, this will have little impact on Newcastle United.

In essence, the changes simply mean that had the Magpies lined-up any potential summer recruits – as numerous reports suggest they have, pending the expected change in ownership – these deals could not be confirmed until August, as opposed to in June.

But that won’t stop talks taking place and verbal agreements being made.

Indeed, in Newcastle’s case, it could actually aid their recruitment drive should the takeover be confirmed in the coming weeks. The delayed window could afford the new ownership time to get their feet under the table before the trading period begins, which could well aid their quest to bring in new players.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW MORE?

It’s important to note that these changes haven’t been approved just yet.

FIFA are set to provide a framework to all member associations on the summer transfer window in the coming weeks, with individual associations then allowed to make the final decision.

We should have some clarity on when the window will open and close by June 18 – when it was initially supposed to open.