With the transfer window set to open on June 1st and subsequently close on 10th June, before re-opening on 16th June through to 1st September, there will be a number of transfer deals completed before the 30th June. This date marks the accounting year end for a number of Premier League clubs, though not for West Ham, Arsenal and Liverpool who operate on a May 31st year end.
The distinction suggests that these three clubs are unlikely to face immediate concerns regarding the Premier Leagues Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) or UEFA Financial Fair Play FFP regulations. This stands in contrast to reports that West Ham are operating close to the PSR limit with suggestions that Graham Potter will need to sell players to raise transfer funds.
A Senior Source previously informed C&H that changing a clubs accounting end date “makes no difference”. However the administrative adjustment under section 392 of the Companies Act 2006 has effectively granted a number of clubs an extra month to balance their books and address PSR shortfalls.
Behind the scenes players’ representatives are already active working on creative deals designed to help clubs navigate around PSR constraints.
PSR is assessed over a rolling three year period, and financial statements published in 23/24 showed several clubs were very close to breaching the rules. For many that prompted a late scramble to comply before their financial year end.
Looking at this years’ financial timelines Aston Villa, are rumoured to be at risk – potentially breaching PSR and possibly failing UEFA’s sustainability rules. This has led to speculation around the availability of players such as Emiliano Martinez and even the partial sale of their Womens team.
The Daily Mail confirmed earlier this month that the club need to make one significant player sale before 30th June to remain compliant to PSR rules. Chelsea are another club flagged as a possible UEFA Financial Sustainability breach, although they appear to be within PSR limits, having sold their womens team and offloaded some of their players. According to BBC Sport, Chelsea have confirmed ongoing discussions with UEFA over their financial standing.
More clubs are expected to reveal their positions as the transfer window opens. This dynamic will lead to some shrewd transfer deals, with financially constrained clubs needing to act quickly and creatively. For West Ham supporters, the hope is that the club is fully aware of these challenges and prepared to navigate what already promises to be a difficult transfer period.
The board can invest up to £90m but they don’t. You are either gullible or a flat out liar and a shill? Which one is it?
SULLIVAN OUT!!!!!!
Of course the 31st May end of accounting period could cause Westham a problem if the unexpected reduced income currently leaves Westham in violation of PSR with no ability to balance the books with a player sale because that can’t happen until 1st June ( a new accounting period ) .