When does the Premier League January transfer window 2021 open?

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 17:54 BST
• 3 min read

The January transfer window of 2021 promises to be an interesting period.

Few clubs like dealing in the winter window, but there are several that are likely to see their hands forced.

Will Barcelona seek to reinforce their ailing squad? Can Manchester United afford to keep hold of the disruptive influence of Paul Pogba until the summer? And how will Arsenal resolve their creativity crisis?

Yet the coronavirus crisis, which has rocked the world for much of the last year, has thrown football’s finances into a tailspin.

Even giants like Barca may struggle to raise funds to sign even modest players. It is telling that the Catalans have been linked with the likes of Marten de Roon as opposed to the superstars more readily associated with them.

With that in mind, this could be the beginning of a new era, in which clubs have to rely on their wits as much as their budgets. Swap deals or loans could increase in importance while clubs may need to seek other imaginative methods to attract players or get others off their books.

So, when does the January transfer window open?

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When does the January transfer window 2021 begin?

The transfer window operates on different dates from country to country.

In England, the window traditionally opens on 2nd January, but this season it will be 4th January. The 1st is always a holiday while the 2nd and 3rd ae weekend days.

It will also be slightly curtailed and finish on 1st February because there is a full card of Premier League matches the following midweek.

In reality, this is unlikely to have any significant impact on clubs.

Meanwhile, the transfer windows in both Spain and Italy will run along these dates.

There is a slight tweak to those times in France and Germany. In both Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga the window will open on 2nd January and close on 1st February.