Man United set for new Premier League transfer deadline as rules explained

Manchester United are gearing up for a new Premier League transfer deadline that could see a raft of last-minute deals.

The stronger stance on implementing profit and sustainability rules (PSR) by those who run the division has created an unofficial transfer window that ends on Sunday. Last season, both Everton and Nottingham Forest faced sanctions from the Premier League for failing to comply with PSR over the course of the previous campaign.

English football has implemented PSR to avoid clubs spending beyond their means to gain unfair advantages. Clubs in the Premier League cannot lose any more than £105m across the previous three seasons. Just £15m can be from their ‘own money’, anything up to £105m must be subsidised through the club’s owners buying up shares.

This means there is little room for manoeuvre if teams are not able to rely on their owners buying up shares. So why is June 30 such an important date?

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Well, this Sunday is the last day for player sales and incomings to count towards the last three seasons’ accounts as the Premier League’s financial period ends. Theoretically, this means a club that is on the edge of PSR may be looking to sell a player this week to avoid falling foul of the rules.

On the flip side, clubs like Manchester United, who are not as fearful of PSR, could potentially bag themselves a bargain. Everton are thought to be one of the clubs keen to ensure they do not fall foul of the rules, and they recently sold Lewis Dobbin in an effort to avoid sanctions.

They could choose to sell another player to be confident of sticking to the regulations, which is where United could strike considering their interest in both Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana. United have already had a £43million bid (£35m up front with £8m in add-ons) for England defender Branthwaite turned down but there is scope for them to return before Sunday with an increased offer.

The deadline is of particular concern for all Premier League clubs due to the threat of points deductions. Both Everton and Forest were hit with points deductions which almost saw the pair relegated.

After Sunday, there is nothing United or any of their Premier League rivals can do to impact their Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation, and they will have to await sanctions if they are in breach of the rules.