The transfer deadline is approaching for European soccer clubs with the cut-off point for deals coming quickly. This summer’s business has not been as busy as expected but the finale promises to be animated as the top five leagues across UEFA competition close their doors on Friday, August 30.
Be sure to catch CBS Sports Golazo Network’s coverage of transfer deadline day with a special edition of Scoreline on Friday, Aug. 30. Aly Trost Martin and Chris Wittyngham will be joined by Nigel Reo-Coker at Tom Bogert at 5 p.m. ET to break down all the news and notes from the final hours of the window.
Here’s what to know:
How to watch Deadline Day on Golazo Network
When does the window close?
All times ET
- Bundesliga: Noon
- Serie A: 2 p.m.
- Ligue 1: 5 p.m.
- Premier League: 6 p.m.
- La Liga: 6 p.m.
Why is the window closing early?
In recent years, the regular deadline of Aug. 31 has fallen on a weekend and therefore been extended until the next business day which would have been a Monday this year on Sept. 2. This time, though, the leagues chose to close their collective windows on the Friday which was a decision taken after discussions between the top five competitions. Other leagues can and will stay open and close at later dates after August 30.
Can clubs still sign free agents?
Yes — clubs in any league can sign unattached players at any time after the deadline. As long as a player is not contractually bound to another club, deals can be agreed between the players and clubs once the window is closed. Registration for competition squads is a different story — especially in UEFA competitions, but any deals for contracted players can only be officially completed once the window reopens in the winter.
Which windows are open slightly longer?
Notable European leagues that will remain open and could sign players from the top five leagues once they have closed are Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Turkiye. The Primeira Liga and Eredivisie windows are open until the following week on Sept. 2 while Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League is open until September 6 and Turkiye’s Super Lig all the way up until Sept. 13. One to keep an eye on once Europe goes quiet is the Pro League in Saudi Arabia which is open for almost one month longer before closing on Oct. 6 while the midseason MLS window already closed on Aug. 14.
2025 winter window opening dates
- Premier League: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- La Liga: Thursday, Jan. 2
- Serie A: Thursday, Jan. 2
- Bundesliga: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Ligue 1: Wednesday, Jan. 1
