FIFA announce two new transfer rule changes that could help Sunderland this summer

Sunderland will hope for some clarity over the summer transfer window after FIFA announced a change to their rules for the 2020 window.

With seasons across the globe extended beyond their usual timeframe because coronavirus brought them all to an unexpected halt in March, football's governing body have announced that leagues will be allowed to open their summer transfer windows before the current season concludes.

The decision on whether or not to do so will be left at the discretion of each individual league, with Sunderland now awaiting a decision from the EFL and the English FA over the summer transfer window so they can press on with their summer plans.

Having missed out on promotion from League One, the Black Cats must once again try to strengthen their squad this summer to be able to mount a more credible promotion challenge.

Despite the rule change from FIFA, it is believed that the FA are keen to change the dates of the summer transfer window between August and October, allowing both the Premier League and EFL to complete their remaining games this season before thinking about signings for next, with the 2020-21 season unlikely to begin until September.

Many players will become free agents at the end of June but clubs can sign free agents outside of transfer windows and with no competitive games to play being unable to register any such free agent signings would not be an issue for Sunderland.

How Sunderland’s position in the football pyramid has changed

However, only the most in demand free agents are likely to earn new contracts quickly, with clubs unlikely to rush to start paying a player a wage when it might be another two months before they can start pre-season training for next season.

FIFA have also announced a change to rules over how many teams a player can play for in a single campaign, which is likely to have a big effect on the loan market.

Players could previously only represent two clubs in a single season and that included appearances at under-23 level.

That created problems for young players who played for the parent club's second string before heading out on loan. By January, the only option clubs had was to have them return or stay at the current club they were on loan at. If they were excelling there was no option to find them a better club, and if they were struggling there was no option to send them elsewhere for more game time.

But FIFA have changed the rule so that a player can now represent three clubs in a season.