Thursday 21 September 2017 17:47, UK
EFL clubs are in favour of the summer transfer window closing before the season starts, with a formal vote on the matter to be taken in February.
Premier League clubs have already voted to adopt such measures and the three divisions below them appear ready to follow suit, with the change likely to come into effect in time for the 2018 summer transfer window.
The issue was initially discussed at a club meeting last year.
EFL clubs have also indicated they want to be able to continue to sign players on loan until August 31 following a meeting of all 72 member clubs at Villa Park.
This summer, 215 player loans took place into EFL clubs, with 102 of those loans completed after the start of the season.
"Today was all about understanding a direction of travel in what is a hugely emotive matter not only for clubs and managers but supporters as well," said EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey.
"The clubs have been clear in their mandate and we will now go away and look to develop a set of proposals before moving this matter on to the next stage, which would be a formal vote in order to change our regulations."
This weekend sees two intriguing Sky Live matches from the Sky Bet Championship. Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest us on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 5:15pm on Saturday.
The Steel City derby between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United takes place on Sunday. Coverage starts on Sky Sports Football at 12:30pm and Sky Sports Main Event at 1pm.
