EFL clubs have been informed that contract documents will be approved in a major shake-up by transfer deadline day on February 2nd.
All 72 teams in 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 informing them that “deal sheets” will be introduced.
What is a Deal Sheet?
It is a system the Premier League uses to give clubs extra time to complete transfers on deadline day.
It was introduced into the top flight in 2008 after several transfer deadline day deals fell through due to paperwork problems.
A contract sheet confirms that an agreement has been reached to allow additional time for the remaining paperwork to be submitted.
There were previously no deal sheets in the EFL, but now 72 additional teams will be granted an additional two-hour grace period.
EFL clubs introduce deal sheets
The system will be operational for Deadline Day on Monday, February 2nd, but deal sheets cannot be used during the final two hours of the window.
Since the deadline is 7:00 p.m., clubs can only submit a deal sheet from 5:00 p.m.
Teams have until 9pm to complete the relevant paperwork, with late transfers between the EFL and Premier League being more efficient.
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A deal sheet can only be submitted if there is an agreement between the buying and selling club, the player and/or his representative.
Nine such late transfers were submitted in August 2024, with Chelsea using them to get Enzo Fernandez’s move from Benfica over the line.
Five months ago, Liverpool attempted to sign Marc Guehi using a deal sheet before Crystal Palace pulled the plug at the last hour.
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers failed to sign Duncan McGuire after the deadline in February 2024 due to an administrative error.
EFL clubs have been active this month, with Middlesbrough set to win Jeremy Sarmiento’s move to Birmingham City.
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Elsewhere, Wrexham community director Humphrey Ker has played down rumors that the club will break the Championship transfer record.
The Red Dragons have reportedly made a £19million bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif, who has also been linked with Palace.
“We were all just as excited as anyone else when we read about it on the internet,” he told The Pitch Prospect Breakfast.
“From what I understand, it’s a lot of exciting speculation.
“We are looking at a lot of different players at the moment but when I say we have made an offer of £19m I am not sure that is 100 per cent correct.”