How Man United and Man City can still complete transfers AFTER deadline with deal sheet rule

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• January transfer window

Need to know

All the information you need about deal sheets as clubs up and down the country rush to complete their final January transfers, but Man United and Man City are due for a slow night

Deal sheets are key in transfer windows(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Everything you need to know about transfer deal sheets as the January transfer window shuts on Monday...

1. A "grace period" for Manchester giants: The deal sheet acts as a formal placeholder that allows United or City to confirm an agreement has been reached just as the clock ticks down. It grants the clubs' legal teams vital extra time to process the mountain of paperwork required to officially register a new player.
2. The two-hour deadline window: City and United can only utilise this document during the final two hours of the transfer window, meaning it would be from 5pm for tonight's 7pm deadline. The form must be fully completed and received by the Premier League before that final whistle blows, or the deal is dead.
3. Extending the time: Once the league approves a deal sheet, the Manchester rivals get a two-hour extension to submit the remaining documents. This window is essential for completing late-night medicals at Carrington or the City Football Academy that are running behind schedule.
4. Confirming the handshake: The document must explicitly state that United or City have finished negotiations with the selling club and the player's representatives. This serves as proof to the authorities that the clubs aren't still haggling over price, but are simply finishing the administrative "heavy lifting."
5. Locking in the financials" Even though it’s a condensed form, it must specify the player’s identity and the total transfer fee agreed upon by the Manchester club. It requires a breakdown of guaranteed payments to ensure the financial core of the deal cannot be altered after the deadline.
6. The intent to sign: While the deal sheet signals a firm commitment, it contains a disclaimer stating it is not a legally binding contract in itself. Its purpose is to notify the Premier League of the intent to transfer, while the finality of the move depends on the subsequent legal filings.
7. Global transfer hurdles: If City or United are buying from a club like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, the rules get significantly tighter. The two-hour domestic extension often doesn’t apply to international moves, which must usually meet the strict "FIFA Transfer Matching System" deadline without the same safety net.
8. Avoiding "fax machine" nightmares: This system exists to ensure that a massive Manchester transfer doesn't collapse due to a simple technical glitch or a slow server. It provides a crucial safety net so that if a deal is agreed upon in good faith, the player can still pull on the red or blue shirt regardless of a late-night IT issue.