You will hear plenty about a new transfer deadline this week. Not the usual August 30 cut-off for Premier League clubs to make transfers, but a secondary deadline two months earlier.
After Everton and Nottingham Forest were handed points deductions last season for failing to spend within their allotted limits for the Profit and Sustainability Rules, clubs are doing what they can to get their accounts in order before the end of the month.
Failing to show they have complied could result in charges being brought against clubs who haven't met the appropriate requirements - namely that they have lost more than is allowed under league regulations. Both Forest and Everton argued that they had extenuating circumstances when it came to missing the deadline, but the Premier League and independent panels looking at the evidence disagreed.
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To get around these harsh rules and avoid any potential points deductions, clubs are finding inventive ways to fall on the right side of the numbers. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton are all involved in various deals this month which appear designed to help multiple clubs meet their PSR obligations.
For example, Everton youngster Lewis Dobbin has moved to Aston Villa while Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam moves in the opposite direction, both for £9m. Chelsea and Newcastle are said to be looking at similar deals, effectively swapping youngsters, registering high transfer fees on their PSR accounts as profit and reportedly spreading the cost of the incoming over a longer period.
So these deals, while seemingly within the rules, appear designed to help clubs get their PSR accounts in order before they must be submitted on June 30.
Just imagine the uproar if Manchester City were involved in any such dealings. There wouldn't be any pats on the back offered in the direction of the Etihad for being astute and clever, that is for certain.
City have been quiet players in the transfer market so far - they haven't been active at all. There was talk over the triggering of a £100m release clause to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, but those rumours disappeared as soon as they emerged and it seems that clause has now expired.
Not for the first time, it looks like City are biding their time, waiting for the European Championship to end before making their moves later in the summer. If they move for anyone at all. They don't need to rush to sell any academy players at least, having made hundreds of millions from the CFA over the last decade. The CFA has actually raised more than Villa and Newcastle in the last ten years, according to a recent study.
If the transfer activity ramps up this week as clubs scramble to meet those PSR deadlines, City fans should be reassured their club is not among those being active. They will stick to their long-term plan and this time their inactivity suggests everything is firmly under control.
