Transfer Deadline Day: What Are Deal Sheets and Why Do Clubs Need Them?

Transfer Deadline Day in the Premier League is a frantic affair, with clubs working feverishly to finalize deals before the 11pm deadline. To speed up the process, clubs utilize ‘deal sheets’, which are documents that officially confirm an agreement has been reached before the window closes. These sheets detail the transfer or loan fee, any potential add-ons, and the player’s move between clubs. Once submitted, teams are given an additional two hours to complete the remaining paperwork, giving them crucial extra time to secure the deal. Introduced in 2008, deal sheets were designed to prevent late deals from falling through due to paperwork issues. Without them, the frantic rush to finalize transfers would be even more chaotic.