Summer transfer window: what is a deal sheet and how can Premier League clubs sign players after deadline?

The summer transfer window is soon drawing to what is likely to be a very dramatic close.

The window opened earlier in June and has seen a plethora of players brought in across the Premier League and Europe, in some cases for eye-watering fees.

Some of the biggest signings this summer have included Liverpool’s acquiring of Darwin Nunez for €75 million; Erling Haaland to Manchester City for €60m and most recently Chelsea’s signing of Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana for €70 million.

However, there are sure to still be several signings left to come as we reach the final few hours of deadline day.

Additionally, for those clubs who are unable to reach a conclusion by the hour appointed, there may be the possibility of extending the time available to them through deal sheets.

Here is all you need to know about what a deal sheet is and when the transfer deadline is...

When does the summer transfer window close?

Today, Thursday 1 September 2022, is the final day of the summer transfer window with the Premier League and EFL deadline time being 11pm BST.

This day is the same for all of Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues although Spain’s La Liga is giving their league a deadline of 10.59pm CEST (9.59pm BST).

Both the German Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A are set to close business at 5pm CEST.

In Scotland, clubs have until midnight to conclude their business.

What is a deal sheet?

A deal sheet is what is used for a side to confirm an agreement has taken place in order to allow for additional time to submit the remaining documentation.

During last year’s summer deadline - which also had a final time of 11pm - the deal sheet could not be used before 9pm and had to arrive fully completed before the 11pm deadline.

Once the sheet has arrived, the club then have an additional two hours (until 1am) to complete all the final and necessary paperwork.

Can clubs sign players after the deadline?

The deal sheet is the only way clubs are able to sign players after the 11pm deadline in the Premier League and EFL.

If an agreement has not been reached by this time or the deal sheet not fully completed and submitted, then the club and players must wait until the January transfer window to strike any new deals.

What are the deals still to go through?

The Brazilian ace Arthur Melo has been filmed travelling to Liverpool earlier this morning and he is expected to be on loan at Anfield until the end of the 2022/23 season, according to the Italian journalist Romeo Agresti.

There is also the possibility that West Ham will pursue the Southampton centre-back Jan Bednarak before the end of the transfer window.

Leicester, Wolves and Aston Villa have all enquired about the 32-year-old but with Craig Dawson reportedly keen to move away from the London Stadium, David Moyes could be set to cash in on the former West Brom defender.

One of the bigger deals which is still in deliberation is Chelsea’s hope for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was a victim of robbery and assault earlier this week.

The two sides had reportedly reached personal agreements on Tuesday but the striker’s current club Barcelona appear to be stalling as much as possible. Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso being allowed to move the other way is likely to pave the way for Aubameyang’s switch to Stamford Bridge.

David Ornstein however recently told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: “Chelsea will go ahead with on amended terms, and if all goes to plan he will make a remarkable return to the Premier League just six months after leaving Arsenal in acrimonious circumstances.

“Chelsea have also looked at Ibrahim Sangare from PSV so there may be more activity at Stamfrod Bridge. The focus of attention though is Aubameyang.”