The window is open and clubs are beginning the thankless task of doing their business early enough to give their managers a full season with their new squads.
But as has been the case for years, players and clubs hold on for just the right deal, dragging out negotiations over months.
The truncated window to fall in line with the start of the Premier League season may help to some extent, yet nobody is expecting the biggest deals to be neatly packaged together before July comes.
Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba look to be the biggest dominos to fall, and once Real Madrid strike a deal, or not, others will follow.
It promises to be a busy few weeks, with the groundwork well underway before the Champions League final has even been played.
Read Jack Pitt-Brooke’s verdict on the biggest signings to happen – or not – this summer
