Thursday 31 August 2017 08:26, UK
Another record-breaking summer transfer window is almost at an end but there are still plenty of potential deals yet to be concluded ahead of another exciting Deadline Day.
All eyes are on Alexis Sanchez, Philippe Coutinho, Virgil van Dijk, Diego Costa and plenty of others heading into the final day of the window - but what about some of the lesser known elements of last-minute deals?
When does the window actually shut and what does that mean for Europe's top leagues?
What does it mean for the players who are currently away with their countries on international duty, including Sanchez and Coutinho who are in South America with Chile and Brazil, respectively?
Do medicals have to be completed before the window slams shut? What has to be physically signed off for late deals to go through and what of Gareth Southgate's England squad at St George's Park?
Read on below to find out the answers to all of these questions.
Q. When does the transfer window close across Europe?
The transfer window shuts in England, Italy and France at 11pm BST on Thursday, while Scotland closes at midnight.
The deadline in Germany is Thursday at 5pm BST.
The Spanish window closes at midnight on September 1 meaning they have an extra day to do business.
Q. Can a medical take place after 11pm (or midnight on Sept 1 in Spain)?
Yes, a medical can take place whenever a club wants it to.
Clearly clubs would want to get medicals done before signing off paperwork, otherwise it would be a risk, but they can take place after the deadline.
A lot of deals are subject to a medical anyway. So long as the agreement is in place then medicals can take place at any time.
As long as paperwork is in, medicals can take place whenever the club chooses.
Q. Does the player actually have to sign a document?
Yes, players have to sign a document before 11pm.
In the Premier League, a Deal Sheet can only be completed in the final two hours of the transfer window (9pm-11pm).
It must be completed and sent to the Premier League and the Football Association before the close of the window.
If completed in time, transfers can then be concluded by 1am on Friday morning.
Q. How many loan players can Premier League sides sign from English sides?
Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time.
The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.
Premier League clubs cannot loan to another Premier League club a player they have acquired in the same transfer window.
A Premier League club may loan not more than one of its goalkeepers to another Premier League club.
Q. Will Gareth Southgate allow players to leave St George's Park?
England travel to face Malta in Friday's World Cup qualifying fixture before they meet Slovakia at Wembley on Monday.
So, will Gareth Southgate allow any of his squad members to leave their training facility at St George's Park to conclude potential deals?
The answer is yes, he will allow players to leave but his preference is to have minimum disruption within the England squad.
Southgate will support the players but will be mindful of fatigue or frame of mind if any player is involved in a late deal on Thursday night. It could impact upon their place against Malta on Friday.
St George's Park has independent medical facilities set up in Burton on the FA's property.
