West Bromwich Albion’s hopes of building a squad for promotion were dealt an embarrassing blow after missing the deadline to submit deals for Josh Onomah and Steven Alzate on the final evening of the window.
Steve Bruce wanted to add the midfield pair and agreed loans until the end of the season, only for the paperwork to be submitted to the EFL after the deadline had passed. In Onomah’s case, he had completed a medical on the afternoon of deadline day in London's Harley Street before heading to the Midlands to complete the deal.
But the paperwork required from the other parties, including parent club Fulham, did not arrive until late and by the time the documents were lodged the 11pm deadline had passed.
Onomah, 25, stayed in Birmingham overnight in hope of the EFL allowing the deal through, before eventually heading back to London, with West Brom told there were no grounds for the deal to be accepted.
Alzate’s deal was negotiated later on deadline day, with news of the Colombia international undertaking a medical breaking with two-and-a-half hours of the window remaining, yet the paperwork for that deal was not submitted on time either.
It is understood that West Brom received required paperwork very late in the day, putting them against the clock to get everything to the EFL.
Many clubs in the EFL were victims of Premier League teams prioritising their incoming transfers and leaving their outgoings to the lower leagues until later. Top-flight clubs also get extra-time to complete deals if they submit a “deal sheet” before the deadline.
Bruce had added Martin Kelly from Crystal Palace to bolster his defence earlier in the day but wanted Onomah and Alzate to add competition in his midfield to help the club climb the Championship table and compete for a play-off place.