The end of the transfer window is always a busy time both in England and throughout Europe, as clubs look to feverishly complete deals for incoming and outgoing players before the registration period ends.
While clubs often have numerous weeks to hash out deals, things can be left to the last minute, as negotiations progress throughout the window and injuries create last-minute gaps in squads.
For Premier League clubs, there is a mechanism to allow clubs a slightly longer period of time to complete the long and arduous process of sealing a transfer, which requires lengthy negotiations plus a litany of legal documentation.
The Sporting News details this process for a slight extension, known as a “deal sheet” throughout the English top flight.
MORE: A detailed recap of the 2025 summer transfer window as multiple deals go down to the wire
What is a deal sheet in Premier League?
A deal sheet is a mechanism instituted by the Premier League to give clubs a little extra time to get transfers done on deadline day.
If a transfer is expected to be secured within the final hours of the transfer window, they can submit a “deal sheet” to the Premier League. If the necessary paperwork is submitted by the official close of the transfer window, clubs are afforded an additional two hours to fully hash out a transfer.
The form shows that an agreement has been reached between the clubs and it gives them a bit more time to submit the relevant documentation.
For example, if the transfer window closes at 7 p.m. local time, a successful deal sheet submitted by the deadline would allow teams until 9 p.m. to finalise the transfer in question.
If the Premier League does not receive that by the new deadline, the transfer in question will not be able to go ahead.
Notably, deal sheets can only be completed by clubs within England, because all international transfers must still comply with the FIFA Transfer Matching System deadline.
What does a deal sheet look like?
The summer transfer window is officially closed ❌
However, clubs can still complete transfers after 19:00 BST if they have submitted a deal sheet before the deadline
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— Premier League (@premierleague) September 1, 2025
A deal sheet is a simple form submitted by either club involved that indicates the intention of completing a transfer.
The only data required by a deal sheet are the clubs in question, the format of the agreed deal (loan, transfer fee, etc), and the agreed-upon structure of the contract.
Submission of this sheet is an indication to the league that a deal is agreed in principle and only the details remain.
Is a deal sheet binding?
Even if a club submits a deal sheet to extend the deadline slightly for a particular deal, it does not mean transfer must be completed.
Thus, a deal sheet is not binding for the clubs in question.
For example, at the 2025 summer transfer window deadline, Liverpool successfully submitted a deal sheet for the transfer of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, giving both clubs extra time to finish the process. However, the Eagles eventually decided not to proceed with the transfer, scuppering the deal.
