richardtheref said:
You are not even suppossed to be able to approach other clubs until the 1st of June. Makes you wonder how Utd are "near to completing" the De Gea deal..........
I'm amazed at how many people believe this (not getting at you). Players can be bought and sold at any time in the year, their registration to the club can only be transferred in the specific time periods of January and the summer one starting in June. Obviously they can't play for their new club until the registration has been transferred at the league offices.
The only reason you don't see (many) transfers outside of these periods is a) if they buy someone still playing competitive football they could end up with a cruciate ligament injury or suchlike before the transfer of the registration happens and b) the buying club becomes responsible for wages and insurance, again, why do that if they aren't playing/registered for you (not 100% sure on the 2nd reason).
Madrid regularly pick up players in May, they've already signed a couple - teams wouldn't be doing it if it was illegal or not allowed.