Premier League and Championship clubs will be allowed to submit a deal sheet on deadline day giving them an additional two hours to complete transfers after Tuesday's 11pm cut-off point.
Deal sheets have been part and parcel of the Premier League for over a decade now, with the EFL recently following suit and introducing them to Championship clubs during the 2026 winter window .
With plenty of activity expected to go late into the night on Tuesday, we take a look at what a deal sheet entails and why it enables clubs additional time to conclude their business.
What is a deal sheet?
An deal sheet grants Premier League and Championship clubs additional time to submit the necessary paperwork for a prospective new signing.
With the transfer window for clubs in England officially slamming shut at 23:00 (BST) on Tuesday 1st September, the deal sheet means that teams will be granted an additional two hours -- up to 01:00 (BST) on Wednesday 2nd September -- to complete the formalities of an agreement, providing a deal sheet is submitted to either the Premier League or EFL.
When can a deal sheet be used?
Transfer deadline day deal sheets can only be used after 21:00 (BST) on Tuesday 1st September and need to be submitted to the Premier League or EFL prior to the 23:00 (BST) deadline.
Providing the deal sheet was received by the Premier League or EFL, the clubs are granted an additional two hours, or until 01:00 (BST), to submit all the required paperwork.
Should all the necessary paperwork not be filed before this time then the transfer will not be completed, irrespective of the fact that a deal sheet had been sent.
What is the difference between a Premier League and an EFL deal sheet?
Transfer deal sheets can be used by any club in the Premier League or Championship wishing to sign a player from another club in the English top-tier or the EFL.
There are two deal sheers, one for the Premier League and another for the EFL.
Any deal which involves a player at a Premier League side needs to submit a Premier League deal sheet whilst a late agreement for a player moving to a Championship club from another Football League side has to have seen an EFL deal sheet filed.
What is on a deal sheet?
The deal sheet is required to include details from both clubs that negotiations for the transfer or loan of a player were agreed prior to the 23:00 (BST) deadline, as well as including details of the transfer fee and payment schedule as well as signatures from both clubs and the player in question.
Who signs the deal sheet?
A deal sheet must be signed by both the buying and selling clubs, together with the player or their representative.
For players under the age of 18, the document must be signed by the player's parents or guardians.
Is a deal sheet a legally binding transfer contract?
A deal sheet is not legally binding, meaning both clubs, together with the player, must complete all the rest of the required transfer forms in order for the player to officially be registered with a new club.
Submitting a deal sheet does not mean the deal will be completed, it simply enables all parties an additional two hours to complete the formalities.
