Understanding the Premier League Transfer Deal Sheet
Premier League clubs must complete a 'deal sheet' to finalize transfers in the last two hours of the transfer window.
As clubs often wait until the last minute to finalize their transfer dealings, they are required to submit a form to the Premier League to ensure that a transfer can proceed.
The deal sheet serves to confirm that an agreement has been reached, allowing clubs additional time to submit the remaining documentation.
The Premier League and the English Football League have set a transfer deadline for Monday, September 1, at 19:00 BST.
Clubs can only use the deal sheet after 17:00 BST, and it must be completed before the transfer window closes.
Once the deal sheet is submitted to the Premier League, clubs have an extra two hours, until 21:00 BST, to provide all required paperwork.
If the necessary documentation is not submitted by the 21:00 BST deadline, the transfer cannot proceed.
For instance, Enzo Fernandez completed his transfer to Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023, following the submission of a last-minute deal sheet. Conversely, Blackburn Rovers were unable to sign Orlando City's Duncan McGuire in 2024 due to a late submission of the deal sheet to the EFL's system.
What does a deal sheet include?
The deal sheet is a straightforward form that requires clubs to specify:
Selling club
Buying club
Transfer fee
Guaranteed sums
Contingency payments
What about international transfers?
When a club aims to sign a player from abroad, it must also adhere to the FIFA matching system deadline to obtain international clearance. This online system facilitates quicker, smoother, and more transparent international transfers.
The buying club must upload all relevant information to the system, and the international club must match these details before midnight. The FA is responsible for requesting international clearance, subsequently informing the Premier League and the clubs that the transfer can proceed. Additionally, the British club must apply for a work permit before the transfer window closes.
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