PREMIER LEAGUE managers will be changing tactics, making subs and SIGNING PLAYERS in an amazing end to the transfer window.
For the first time in five years the transfer deadline is on the same day as top-flight matches, with seven games being played.
That throws up the prospect, for example, of Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce making a frantic late bid for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson while the striker is playing against the Eagles!
Here, SunSport’s MIKE McGRATH looks at how January 31 could turn into a manic night.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE THIS SEASON?
FOURTEEN teams will be in action on the evening, with Liverpool’s clash against Chelsea starting at 8pm at Anfield and the others kicking-off at 7.45pm.
Tottenham have a reputation for moving late and Mauricio Pochettino will be at the other end of the country in Sunderland, while Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce is at Bournemouth.
Manchester United and City play the following day so can concentrate fully on last-gasp transfers.
IS IT A PROBLEM?
DEALS will still be able to be completed, thanks to chief execs and club secretaries working away from stadiums right up to deadline.
Managers are not expected to be glued to their mobile phones while in the dugout. But progress could get filtered through to them at stadiums and in the dressing room.
It could be a problem if players are only made available in the final hours of the window.
ANY PLAYERS WHO HAVE MOVED REALLY LATE IN THE PAST?
RAFAEL VAN DER VAART moved late in the summer window of 2010.
He was only made available late in the day — and he went on to be top scorer for Spurs that season.
Andrei Arshavin was a famous winter signing that went to the wire back in 2009, when Arsenal finally got a bid accepted by Zenit St Petersburg with an hour left of the window.
WHERE WILL THE CAMERAS BE?
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THERE may be a jam-packed programme and a live Championship game between Brentford and Aston Villa — but Sky are sending reporters to EVERY Premier League club on deadline day.
They are also expected to have four reporters at their studios chasing up reports of players arriving for medicals. BT are broadcasting the clash between Liverpool and Everton.
WHAT COULD THE KEY DEALS BE?
AGENTS expect movement from players who are out of favour.
Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho could be one of the big names allowed to leave after getting frozen out by Jurgen Klopp.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka could also spark late interest.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME THERE WERE MATCHES?
IT was a bit of a disappointment when the window shut in 2012.
Bobby Zamora was the biggest deal that January as he moved to QPR for £10million from Fulham.
Compare that to the year before when Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll were on the move for £85million in total.
PRIVATE JETS AT THE READY?
MORE like motorway madness.
Players and agents are not expected to be jumping on planes like they were a few years ago.
In fact, there is expected to be a flurry of deals the day BEFORE the deadline as clubs do not want their business to drag on too late.
CAN DEALS BE CONCLUDED AFTER THE DEADLINE?
THE deadline is at 11pm but if clubs hand in a ‘deal sheet’ to the Premier League’s HQ, then they have until 1am to complete the transfer — or midnight if it is an international move.
The ‘deal sheet’ has information on the transfer fee and add-ons and that the player has agreed to personal terms.
Premier League officials may need to meet the following morning if there are any disputes.
WILL THE WINDOW SHUT IN CHINA?
MEGA-MONEY from the Far East can still pour into the Prem as their window does not close until the end of February.
It is the last thing chief execs want to hear as Chinese clubs look to swoop for our big stars.
But players will still be able to chase the Bamboo Buck after the deadline passes.
CAN WE EXPECT A BIG DEAL?
LAST year, all the focus was on Pep Guardiola arriving in England rather than deadline-day deals.
In fact, it has been relatively quiet for three years. In 2015, Juan Cuadrado was a high-profile arrival for Chelsea but then flopped.
The year before, Arsenal fans were fuming at Arsene Wenger for not splashing out — and bringing in Kim Kallstrom on loan instead.
The last exciting window was 2013 when Peter Odemwingie had a meltdown and drove himself to QPR.
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