EFL in major transfer shake-up for winter window with all 72 clubs informed of new rule

EFL clubs have been informed that deal sheets will be adopted in a huge shake-up to transfer deadline day on February 2.

All 72 teams across the Championship, League One, and League Two will adopt the dramatic Premier League rule in the winter market.

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According to Sky Sports, the EFL has written to all of its member clubs to inform them that ‘deal sheets’ will be introduced.

What is a deal sheet?

It is a system that the Premier League uses to allow clubs extra time to complete transfers on deadline day.

It was introduced into the top-flight in 2008 due to several transfer deadline day deals collapsing due to paperwork issues.

A deal sheet confirms that an agreement has been reached in order to allow additional time to submit the remaining documentation.

Previously, deal sheets were not in operation in the EFL, but now 72 extra teams will be afforded an extra two hours’ grace.

EFL clubs introduce deal sheets

The system will be in place for Deadline Day on Monday, February 2, but deal sheets can’t be used in the final two hours of the window.

With the deadline set to close on 7pm, clubs will only be able to submit a deal sheet from 5pm.

Teams will be given until 9pm to complete relevant paperwork, with late transfers between the EFL and Premier League more efficient.

Premier League

A deal sheet can only be submitted if there is an agreement between the buying and selling clubs, the player, and or their representative.

Nine such late transfers were submitted in August 2024, with Chelsea using it to get Enzo Fernandez’s move from Benfica over the line.

Five months ago, Liverpool used a deal sheet in an attempt to sign Marc Guehi, before Crystal Palace pulled the plug at the last hour.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers failed to sign Duncan McGuire in February 2024 due to an administrative error after the deadline.

EFL clubs have been active this month, with Middlesbrough set to hijack Jeremy Sarmiento’s move to Birmingham City.

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Elsewhere, Wrexham community director Humphrey Ker has played down rumours the club will break the Championship’s transfer record.

The Red Dragons were reported to have made a £19million bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif, who has also been linked to Palace.

“We were all as excited as everybody else to read about it on the internet,” he explained to talkSPORT Breakfast.

“To the best of my knowledge, it’s a lot of exciting speculation.

“We’re looking at lots of different players at the moment, but to say that we’ve launched a £19m bid, I’m not sure that’s 100 per cent correct.”