English clubs can officially sign and add players to their squad from 9/10 June. Can't see why players have to move only from 1 July if the deal is done and dusted, unless they are signing on a free transfer. Say, we sign Lejeune from Eibar. They are skint and will most likely need the 8.7m to booster their transfer funds. If we meet the release clause and they know Lejeune will leave, why would they say hold the money, let's keep him until 1 July or until our FY ends and waste a few week's worth of wages for a player we won't be using the services of? Meet the release clause, pay up in full and we get him off our books so that we move on and look for his replacement would be the clear option.