West Ham vice-chairman Brady claims '17 out of 20' Premier League clubs want transfer deadline shortened

West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady says 17 out of 20 Premier League clubs were in favour of shortening the summer transfer deadline.

The discussions, Brady claims took place in March, have been brought back into focus this week. Clubs will once again discuss the idea when they assemble in September.

The proposed move would see the deadline brought back to the opening game of the season.

Swansea boss Paul Clement raised the idea on the weekend after he was forced to omit Gylfi Sigurdsson due to his protracted move to Everton.

At least 14 clubs must agree to the change, which would still allow European clubs to sign players in England after the deadline, but Brady, who was speaking on Sky Sports The Debate show said the idea was received well by 17 clubs.

"We'd started debating this around March 2017 at the Premier League and 17 clubs were broadly in favour of the window being closed.

"I think the main issue is that it protects the integrity of the squad, you know where you are, you have to get on with it and the players know that.

"It's mainly for the club, fans and manager to know: this is who we've got, this is the squad, these are the numbers, on we go.

"I think in reality you already know what positions you need, how you're going to spend [early on] and there's also the January window.

"I think to close the window early, for the integrity of the league, is the right decision."