Revealed - Some big Premier League clubs voted against closing the transfer window early

The Premier League confirmed on Thursday that their members had voted through changes that will stop them from signing players from the Thursday before the start of next season, even though foreign clubs will still be able to sign players from Premier League clubs after that date.

Now Sky Sports are among those reporting that United and City were among five top flight clubs that refused to back the changes to the transfer window, with Swansea, Crystal Palace and Watford joining them in that position and Burnley abstaining from the vote altogether.

With a two third majority needed to pass the rule change, the 14 votes cast by the remaining Premier League clubs were enough to enforce the amendment that will see transfer trading come to an end on August 9th next summer.

Intriguingly, United manager Jose Mourinho, City boss Pep Guardiola and Swansea chief Paul Clement all spoke out in favour of closing the transfer window before the season started, but it appears that their paymasters did not back up those sentiments.

“As a football manager and not a market man - somebody who wants to work with the team and the players - I would prefer the window to close as soon as possible,” stated Mourinho last month.

“Of course I will meet with Mr Ed Woodward (United’s executive vice chairman) because I know that he will want to share my opinion, so I think very soon we are going to have a decision.”

Meanwhile Pep Guardiola offered up these comments on the transfer window changes: “Unfortunately the market finishes on August 31. I think that's a huge mistake from UEFA. I think the market should finish when we start the season.”

Concerns have been expressed that Premier League clubs will now be undermined by top European clubs trying to sign their players until the end of August, yet it is clear that most managers are happy to finalise their first team squad before a ball is kicked in the season.