Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino feels Premier League clubs have a “complete disadvantage” in the transfer market due to the window shutting earlier in England.
Spurs and other top-flight sides will be unable to buy players after August 9 this year after voting to bring forward the end of the window to before the Premier League season begins.
However, teams across the continent can still do business for the remainder of August, and Pochettino, whose club are yet to sign anyone this window, has deemed the situation unfair.
“If you compare with Europe, I think you are in complete disadvantage and sure it does not help the clubs in the Premier League,” he said.
“Personally, I think it’s not right. I think it’s right if you agree with all of Europe and all the different countries.
“In that situation I think it didn’t help or it’s not going to help the Premier League clubs or the clubs in England to have the same possibility to another contender, because after you’re going to compete in Europe and we are going to compete in the Champions League, and to have 20 days less is I think not a thing that is going to help you.
“It wasn’t my decision. I never gave my opinion on that.”
Back in the Champions League after finishing third last term, Spurs have seen fellow top-four side Liverpool spend heavily but are yet to complete any deals of their own.
The lack of activity comes as a surprise given Pochettino has previously urged the club’s hierarchy to be “brave” and “take risks” in order to keep pace with their rivals.
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, Aston Villa star Jack Grealish and disgruntled Manchester United forward Anthony Martial are among the players to have been linked, but Pochettino is unable to predict whether any moves will come to fruition.
“I don’t know if we are going to sign [anyone] or not. We’re working on that. I cannot tell you if we’re going to sign one, zero or two or three or four.”
The former Argentina defender, who signed a new five-year contract in May, said he would leave others to obtain their own “perception” from his comments earlier in the off-season, adding: “I think I am working and focused on trying to deliver my job, our job. I try to prepare the team.
“That’s the focus and we’re concentrating on that.”
Tottenham commence their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United on August 11.