Transfer window - should it be changed?

So Roberto Martinez claims that the transfer window is becoming a circus (becoming! Where has he been for the last 10 years?) on the basis that Manure could nip and take his two prize possessions at the last minute with no hope of him getting replacements. Alan Pardew bemoaning Arsenal's offer for Cabaye just before their game. The activity is a goldmine for the media who milk it to the extreme, and it is lapped up by many fans. They moan about the 'Bale Saga' but then keep on about it themselves.

It's not the best system in the world but would a return to the old system be a step forward or step backwards? Should football change it's calendar so that contracts, at least in this country and maybe Europe, end on the 31st May rather than June and then the closure of the window forward to the day before the first game?

The other consideration is the January window which is probably a godsend for those at the foot of the table but equally a binfest for media and fans alike. Should that be scrapped.

Personally, I would hate to see a return to the old system where your players could be poached any time up until the last couple of weeks in March but I do think closing the window before the season starts would be far better. And let's be honest, a large proportion of the big deals like Bale are not just dealt with in the window, their sounded out by agents/players and clubs long before the window actually opens!

its a rather odd debate imo, changing when the window closes doesnt stop clubs coming in late for a player, just shifts when that will occur. it certainly wouldnt have changed the Bale saga. arguments about having the window close before the season starts make sence, but only if all leagues start at the same time (and some dont even start in the same season across the world, so how would that work?)

I agree with you and get fed up with managers moaning all the time about it. If you have a good player then other clubs will come in for him and he will also look to leave to increase his earnings and trophy prospects. That's the nature of it. The only way you would eliminate that would be to stick to contracts. Can't buy and sell any player under contract. That wouldn't really work because then you have restraint of trade if a player is out of favour and can't move to another club (unless of course the contract is cancelled).

transfer deadline should be just before the first game of the season. Allow for emergency loans between that date and the transfer window in january

The length of the transfer window should be shortened by two weeks, agents will always take it to the last minute so it wouldn't make any difference.

It should close on the 1st August.

no window....just one transfer day a month? on a friday? probably do this soon to jazz things up........from the sterile business that football is starting to look and feel like.

or transfers at half time?

I agree with those who say it should only operate until the season starts but would add that the January window should be for loans only and no buys. Ina nutshell transfers from May to August 1st and loans from Jan1st to Feb 1st and at no other time during the season.