The major transfer window change that could accelerate Birmingham City's summer signing plans

Birmingham City will have to conduct their transfer business slightly differently this summer as changes have been agreed by the Premier League and English Football League (EFL).

It was reported earlier this week that the Premier League and EFL, in line with the Football Association, have agreed to move the summer transfer deadline forward to 7pm. That means clubs will have to get their business over the line four hours earlier than usual, with the deadline in previous windows at 11pm.

Birmingham and their Championship rivals will have to accelerate their plans on Deadline Day as a result, with quite the rush to take place. The idea is to ensure those involved can have a more normal working pattern rather than staying up much later than usual, in particular those who work as officials or admins for clubs and leagues.

It’s expected that deal sheets will still be utilised to allow clubs a little extra wiggle room after the deadline to complete the formalities of transfers, as long as they have handed in enough of the official paperwork to the FA on time. For the signings of players from abroad, that will still apply, although clubs will then have until midnight to comply with separate FIFA requirements.

When does the summer transfer window open?

Not only will there be an earlier deadline on the final day, but there’s another, more significant change coming this summer. It’s been agreed that the EFL will be included in the new second window being introduced with the FIFA Club World Cup in mind, even with EFL sides not involved in that competition. It’s been agreed that business can be started early in a short window from June 1 to June 10.

This adjustment will theoretically accelerate Blues’ summer plans, though there will be a brief close of business between June 10 and June 16 as transfer windows are unable to exceed 89 days in length. The second window will run from June 16 until September 1. The deadline for both windows, as mentioned previously, will now be at 7pm instead of 11pm.

Will Birmingham be active in the summer transfer window?

Despite winning the League One title in emphatic style with a world record 111-point tally, Blues still see room for improvement. The current squad would probably be strong enough to compete for the play-offs if a good run is put together, but Davies has the financial backing to go one step further if he wishes.

It’s a pivotal summer for Birmingham as they seek to move one step closer to the Premier League. Plenty of new signings can be expected and there will be the odd departure here and there to make room. It’ll be tough to say farewell to some of those who helped Blues rise back to the second tier, but that’s just the nature of football.

One signing has already been agreed, with central defender Phil Neumann joining on a free transfer upon the expiry of his Hannover 96 contract. The German is expected to start alongside Player of the Season winner Christoph Klarer.

Another addition is close to being finalised, too, with Kwame Poku expected to join from Peterborough United. Just like Neumann, the winger would join without a transfer fee as his Posh contract expires on June 30. Blues are eager to improve on the right flank and Poku would fill that void effectively.

The midfield pairing of Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho should hold in the Championship but Birmingham are understood to be drawing up a shortlist of players who can provide strong competition. Then there’s a desire to sign a new striker, with Alfie May and Lyndon Dykes likely to fall down the pecking order.