Transfer Deadline Day: key deadlines, rules and potential late moves

Premier League and EFL clubs have until 23:00 BST on Tuesday, 1 September to complete their transfers in this summer’s transfer window.

Summer spending is approaching record levels and a new high could still be reached on Transfer Deadline Day; Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez have been two of the most-discussed players this window. This guide explains the remaining deadlines, the paperwork and squad rules clubs must follow, some notable deadline-day signings from past windows, and the moves that could still be completed.

The deadlines for other major leagues are: Ligue 1 on Tuesday, 1 September at 18:59; Serie A on Tuesday, 1 September at 19:00; La Liga on Tuesday, 1 September at 22:59; the Scottish Premiership on Thursday, 3 September at 17:00; the Women’s Super League on Thursday, 3 September at 23:00; the Bundesliga closed on Tuesday, 1 August at 19:00; and the Saudi Pro League’s deadline is listed as Sunday, 6 September - TBC.

Fifa rules state a transfer window cannot last more than 16 weeks in a calendar year. Premier League clubs must submit a deal sheet in the final two hours of a transfer window; this year the earliest the deal sheet can be submitted is 21:00 BST and it must be complete before the 23:00 deadline, giving clubs two hours to finalise required paperwork. Without all paperwork submitted before 23:00, transfers cannot proceed, and the deal sheet allows a club to confirm an agreement has been reached while buying more time to submit the remaining documentation.

Players who remain free agents after the window closes can be signed at any point, but they will not be able to play for their new side immediately unless there is space in the club’s registered 25‑man squad because they must wait until the next period of registration. While there is no official public deadline for that registration, it is understood the deadline is about a week after the window closes.

A Premier League squad list must not contain more than 25 senior players and is published for each club following the closure of the transfer window. Of those 25 players, no more than 17 can be registered who are not classed as 'homegrown', and any squad members under the age of 21 at registration cut-off do not count towards the total. Clubs must therefore manage senior-player numbers carefully or risk having players contracted to a team they cannot play for; Chelsea have previously faced criticism for an oversized squad and the so-called 'bomb squad' practice has since been outlawed by Fifa.

Several high-profile moves could still happen late in the window. Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish looks set to return to Everton on loan with Toffees winger Iliman Ndiaye heading the other way for £65m. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a reunion with former boss Enzo Maresca at City, Xabi Alonso’s side are set to be looking at Monaco’s Lamine Camara, Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is of interest to Arsenal and Barcelona and could leave the Spanish capital before the window closes, and Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo has been a target for both Spurs and City, although any exit would be dependent on the Reds securing a replacement - which is increasingly unlikely.

One of the most dramatic signings of the 2025-26 summer window was Alexander Isak’s departure from Newcastle United to Liverpool on deadline day, which broke the British transfer record. Other memorable deadline-day deals listed include Claude Makelele from Real Madrid to Chelsea (2003); Wayne Rooney from Everton to Manchester United (2004); Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians to West Ham (2006); Ashley Cole from Arsenal to Chelsea (2006); Hugo Lloris from Lyon to Tottenham (2012); Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid to Arsenal (2013); Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus to Manchester United (2021); and Cole Palmer from Manchester City to Chelsea (2023).

BBC Sport will provide live coverage of Deadline Day: the BBC Sport website and app will host a dedicated live page covering up-to-the-minute Premier League deals and EFL news, BBC Sounds will carry coverage on 5 Live and local radio stations across the UK, and many local stations will also have their coverage live streamed so you can watch along - find out all the info here. This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.