EFL teams favouring early closure of summer transfer window after Premier League’s decision at start of September
EFL clubs have indicated they are in favour of closing the summer transfer window early from 2018, the governing body has announced.
The decision was made during a meeting of all 72 clubs and will now be put to a formal vote in February 2018 once further discussions have taken place.
The proposal from the EFL would differ to the recent Premier League approach whereby the shortened transfer window would only apply to permanent deals.
Clubs would therefore still be able to sign players on loan until the traditional end of the window on August 31.
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “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.
"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.”
The 72 clubs also discussed, and opted against, using more than three substitutes during a match, but they will next year vote on a change of policy regarding the fielding of full-strength teams in the closing stages of a season.
A statement from the EFL read: "Clubs were asked to support the implementation of guidance on the following basis: 'From the fourth Thursday in March, any team sheet for a League game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the League game before.'
"Clubs indicated they were in support of amending the policy guidance and a formal vote will now take place at the February Club Meeting."
Meanwhile, Everton manager Ronald Koeman has defended the tradition of the Carabao Cup after Jose Mourinho questioned whether English football would be better off without it.
Manchester United boss Mourinho, who won the trophy last year, offered his withering view of the competition after his side's 4-1 victory over Burton.
The Portuguese said: "If you ask me could English football survive or even be better without this competition? Maybe."
Mourinho vowed to respect the tournament after booking a fourth-round spot but also pondered whether a reduced fixture list would benefit English sides in Europe.
But Koeman, whose side secured a place in the fourth round by beating Sunderland 3-0, said: "I think both cup competitions are really a tradition in English football.
"Manchester United won it last season and I think that is nice to win, even if it is the League Cup."