The winter transfer window will slam shut tonight and the race is on for clubs to get their business completed in time.
Everton, like a host of other clubs across Europe are, the ECHO understands, working on deals behind the scenes as they look to bolster their attacking options for the second half of the season. Liverpool meanwhile have been linked to a host of names, although any late business does look unlikely at this stage.
Clubs have until 11pm tonight to register their players and get their deals complete, otherwise they will be forced to wait until the summer. However, there is a way that clubs can squeeze a signing through the system beyond that deadline.
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How do deal sheets work?
A deal sheet can be used by clubs to provide extra time in order to complete the final steps of a transfer. The document states that negotiations between the respective clubs have concluded before the 11pm deadline and a fee has also been agreed. Though it is not a legally binding contract.
The Premier League website provides the following outline on how deal sheets work: “The deal sheet allows a club to confirm that a deal has been reached in order to allow for additional time to submit the remaining documentation.
“For a deadline of 23:00, the deal sheet cannot be used before 21:00 and needs to arrive fully completed before the transfer window closes. Once the sheet arrives, clubs have got another two hours, or until 01:00, in which to submit the full paperwork.”
That means Everton and Liverpool will have until 1am on Tuesday February 1 to get a deal over the line. Though if clubs are looking to complete an international transfer, they must still comply with the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) deadline.
What is the FIFA Transfer Matching System?
The Transfer Matching System is where a player is registered in order to receive international clearance. The Premier League states: “The buying club have to upload all the information to the system and the foreign club have to match all the details.
“Our FA will request clearance and, as long everything matches, the foreign association will issue clearance to the FA, who then informs the club and League.
“The Premier League receives a copy because we need to ensure that players coming in have had their registration transferred to this country, or Wales in the case of Welsh clubs.”
Is a fax machine used in transfer deals?
Once an essential piece of equipment when it came to transfers, it now appears that fax machines have been officially retired! It is now claimed that most clubs prepare documentation via email, with forms being scanned or sent by desktop fax.
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