Transfer day: What and when is the deadline for club football signings?

Football clubs in the biggest leagues across Europe have their last chance to sign new players as the 2026 summer transfer window approaches its deadline on Tuesday.

English Premier League clubs have been the most active during the summer signing period, with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City leading the way in expenses. Real Madrid and Barcelona have also welcomed some new faces in La Liga.

Al Jazeera breaks down everything you need to know about transfer deadline day:

Deadline day in the transfer window refers to the final opportunity clubs have to complete signings and strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.

The summer transfer window 2026 will close on the following days and times in Europe’s top leagues:

Yes, but only in the Premier League. Even as the transfer window closes, deals can still be announced after the deadline has passed, as clubs have a two-hour grace period to complete a signing if they have submitted a deal sheet prior to the deadline.

A deal sheet allows a club to confirm that an agreement has been reached in order to allow for additional time to submit the remaining documentation.

Clubs in all leagues can sign players as free agents after the deadline, as long as the player is not officially attached to another club when the window closes.