Premier League transfer window explained: Why Deadline Day is later, what a deal sheet is and more

The January transfer window allows sides to sign, sell or loan players for the last time before the end of the season and for some teams, it can prove pivotal to achieving their objectives before the end of the season.

Burnley have not made a move so far in this window, but they will be hoping to add to their team in the hope of staving off Premier League relegation and avoiding bouncing back down to the Championship after only one season in the top-flight once again.

Although the Clarets are yet to make a move, there have been some big-money deals already completed this month, with Manchester City responsible for a few, signing Antoine Semenyo for £65m from Bournemouth and Marc Guehi for £20m from Crystal Palace. The January window is usually quieter than the summer market, which lasts months and sees clubs splash the cash across the league. Premier League sides spent more than £3 billion on new signings, blowing other top European leagues out of the water.

But how does the transfer window work, and how long does Scott Parker have to add to his team?

When does the transfer window close?

After the summer window, when clubs carefully plan out their business, January is the only chance for managers to react to form, performances and injuries to salvage or push on in their seasons.

The transfer market opened on 1 January 2026 and this allowed clubs in the Premier League to trade with one another or with clubs from across the globe. The window will be closing later than you might think, as the last day of January falls on a weekend, the window will close on the following Monday, which is 2 February 2026, and the window will close at 19:00 GMT that evening.

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What happens if deals are not completed by the deadline?

As deadline day is normally a very busy time across the league, players might have to travel far and wide to complete the necessary requirements for a transfer to be completed, such as medicals and contract signings. This is after clubs have brokered deals, which can take a while with both buying and selling parties trying their best to seal the best possible deal for their clubs.

And this can lead to deals failing to go through by the 19:00 GMT deadline, however, Premier League clubs are allowed to submit a deal sheet, which allows them to have a few extra hours to work on a deal and get it over the line after the deadline has passed. Once a deal sheet has been submitted, clubs have another two hours after the deadline to complete all necessary paperwork and secure their player.

Scott Parker on the transfer window

Speaking earlier in January, Parker gave a positive outlook on what Burnley were looking at trying to do in this transfer window. When asked whether the club are working to make signings in the last weeks of the January transfer window, Parker said: "We're hoping to. I think I always say there are so many different variables in that. We're active and trying to do that. It's a tough window, this window. It's a short window and right in the middle of the season."

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