Deadline Day: What You Need to Know
Premier League and EFL clubs must complete their summer transfer business by 23:00 BST on Tuesday, 1 September, as reported by the BBC. The deadline day sees a return to a more traditional closing time, after the last two summer windows shut at 7pm, notes the Evening Standard.
In the final two hours of the window, Premier League clubs may submit a "deal sheet" — a form confirming an agreement has been reached, which can be submitted as early as 21:00 BST and must be completed before the 23:00 deadline. This gives clubs extra time to exchange documents and finalise paperwork. Without all paperwork submitted before the deadline, transfers cannot proceed, according to the BBC.
Major Deals and Ongoing Business
This summer has already seen record-breaking spending, with several clubs smashing their transfer records. Morgan Rogers has joined Chelsea for £117m, and Tottenham have signed Sandro Tonali for £100m, as reported by both the BBC and the Evening Standard. The Independent adds that Elliot Anderson has moved to Manchester City for £116m, and Liverpool completed the signing of Bradley Barcola on Monday for a fee that could rise to £123m.
Despite these big-money moves, clubs are still active. Tottenham are reportedly eyeing Savinho and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, while Arsenal remain determined to sign a left-sided attacker and continue to pursue Julian Alvarez, according to the Evening Standard. Manchester United could still add a left-back after signing three midfielders, and Manchester City are chasing Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea, though they appear to have missed out on Cody Gakpo, who looks to be staying at Liverpool.
League-by-League Deadlines
Deadlines vary across Europe and beyond. The BBC lists the following window closing times (all BST):
- Bundesliga: Monday, 31 August, 18:00
- Ligue 1: Tuesday, 1 September, 18:59
- Serie A: Tuesday, 1 September, 19:00
- La Liga: Tuesday, 1 September, 22:59
- Scottish Premiership: Thursday, 3 September, 17:00
- Women's Super League: Thursday, 3 September, 23:00
- Saudi Pro League: Sunday, 6 September, TBC
The Independent gives slightly different times for some leagues, noting La Liga shuts at 10.59pm on 1 September, Bundesliga at 7pm on 31 August, and Serie A at 8pm on 1 September. The Evening Standard confirms that windows in Spain, Italy, and Germany close earlier in the evening, while the Women's Super League and Scottish Premier League windows close at 5pm on Thursday, 3 September.
In England, the summer window opened on 15 June, as reported by the Independent. The Scottish window also opened on 15 June and closes on 3 September at 5pm BST, two days after the Premier League deadline. The Women's Super League window opened on 16 June and closes on 3 September at 11pm BST.
Rules and Regulations
Fifa rules state that a transfer window cannot last more than 16 weeks in a calendar year, according to the BBC. Premier League squads are limited to 25 senior players, of which no more than 17 can be non-homegrown; under-21 players do not count toward the limit. The BBC also notes that Chelsea previously faced criticism for an oversized squad, a practice that has since been outlawed.
Players who remain free agents after the deadline can be signed at any point, but they may have to wait until the next registration period if there is no space in the club's 25-man squad, the BBC reports.
The Premier League's winter window will re-open on 1 January 2027 and close on 1 February at 11pm GMT, while Scotland's winter window opens on 5 January and closes on 4 February at 5pm GMT. The WSL winter window opens on 4 January and closes on 4 February, the same day as Scotland, according to the Independent.
How to Follow Deadline Day
The BBC will have live coverage of Transfer Deadline Day on its website, app, and radio stations.