When is a window open but shut at the same time? The answer to the riddle is the English football transfer window.
Confused? Well, the English clubs are free to buy and sell domestic-based players from June 14, but they have to wait until July 1 for the international window to open.
For the record, Premier League clubs spent £1.9 billion last summer, the biggest prize being Erling Haaland, who moved to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for £51 million, rising to £85.5 million to include agent fees, signing bonus and other costs.
It was money well spent as the Norwegian scored 52 goals and helped City win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Other big names to move to England a year ago included Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Casemiro and Antony (Manchester United), Alexander Isak (Newcastle) and Lucas Paqueta (West Ham).
However, this summer, the biggest move could see Jude Bellingham leave Dortmund for Real Madrid for £88 million plus £25.6 million in add-ons.
Liverpool wanted to sign the 19-year-old Englishman but could not afford Dortmund’s asking price.
It, however, found a bargain in Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder, Alexis Mac Allister. The former Brighton man only cost £35 million, leaving the Reds with £70 million to buy another midfielder or two and a defender.
Bellingham, however, could be a loss as he is a one-of-a-kind talent who could light up world football for the next 15 years.
Another player who could be on the move is Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and possibly Paris St-Germain need a target man, and Kane fits the bill.
Lionel Messi left PSG for Inter Miami when many expected him to return to Barcelona, while Neymar could leave Paris for the Saudi Arabia league.
That could see PSG make a move for Kane, who is left frustrated by Tottenham’s implosion last season, which saw it miss out on European football after finishing eighth.
PSG still has Kylian Mbappe, and pairing him with Kane could see the club finally get its hands on the Champions League trophy.
There will be all sorts of crazy rumours in the coming weeks, so do not be surprised if you read somewhere that your favourite player is on the move.
