The Premier League have revealed players signed in the winter transfer window will not be eligible to play until at least January 12.
The top-flight’s governing body has confirmed even if a player is signed on January 1, they will not be eligible to play in the month’s first gameweek.
Prem clubs have been told new buys won’t play until January 12 at the earliest. There are games scheduled for January 1, 2 and 3 – however the league state new faces will not be permitted to play.
A statement read: “The Premier League can confirm that the January 2019 transfer window will open on 1 January and will close at 23:00 GMT on 31 January.
“Clubs have agreed that no new players registered at the start of the window will be eligible to play in Matchweek 21, between 1-3 January.”
Manchester City host Liverpool in January 3’s only game – but even if the two giants hurry an early deal through they will not be permitted to play.
Even the two bosses playing on January 3 won’t be allowed to field new buys
That means all new purchases will be forced to wait until the following gameweek – slated for January 12, 13 and 14.
So often in recent winter windows, clubs are held to ransom in a desperate bid to hurry through deals.
However, that now appears to be not the case in 2019 with clubs able to spend a little more time ironing out the wrinkles in any potential deal.
The upcoming transfer window opens at a minute past midnight on January 1 and closes at 11pm on January 31.