The English Premier League is considering introducing a winter break as it prepares to negotiate the next television rights deal.
The current broadcasting deal expires in 2019 and the Football Association has previously said that a winter break like those in Germany, France, Italy and Spain is not feasible until then.
Talks are thought to have been productive and the break would come in January so not to impact the traditional festive football schedule, in contrast to other European countries whose break includes Christmas and New Year.
The proposals, if accepted, mean there will be no weekend without Premier League football – but the fixtures will be staggered so that there are five games on one weekend, and five on the next.
That would allow for all 20 Premier League teams to have a free weekend, and in effect a 13-day break between matches.
The historic decision would that the 5th round of the FA Cup would be modified with matches moved to mid-week with no replays.
An announcement on the new Premier League TV rights deal, which will run from 2019 to 2022, is expected next week with an increase on the current £5.14 billion deal hoped for.