Can we close deals now but they don't take effect until January or can we only start negotiating in January? If you can negotiate now it would be good to have some new blood ready to go Jan 1.
Basically you can do everything but the final technicality: swapping of player registrations is not permitted until January 1st.
Case in point.... SAF has Larsson joining him on loan on Jan 1st... deal is done. It is not unusual to see a number of transfers no-one ever knew were in the offing take effect on January 1st. There is nothing to say we wont have a new face or two join us then... not to say we will of course.. but wouldnt it be a nice New years present to see edwards join in time for the FA cup 3rd round tie.. be a nice game to get him to cut his teeth with us... theres no way he will be able to qualify for the Foolham game though... which is a shame.