Premier League clubs who have chosen to defer players' wages face being hit with transfer restrictions if they do not reimburse their stars.

A number of clubs in the top flight have reached agreements with their playing squads to withold part of their salaries to help ease the financial problems caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Southampton and West Ham have both reached understandings with their stars that part of their pay will be kept by the club until the squeeze caused by the current climate subsides, while Watford are on the cusp of agreeing a deal with their squad, too.

Watford are one of a number of clubs which could be hit by transfer restrictions this summer

However, according to a report in The Times, those agreements could have a detrimental effect for clubs in the upcoming transfer window, with the Professional Footballers Association raising the issue of clubs spending on new blood before paying their current crop.

According to the report, there is growing belief shared among clubs in the EFL that clubs should not be allowed to increase their wage bill while debts to some players are still outstanding.

The same wave of thought is behind the notion that any money earned from outgoing transfers should be put aside for deferred wages in the first instance - as opposed to going on new signings.

This would represent a rule change in the Football League - one that would have to be voted through by members, although the report suggests there is more than enough support.

West Ham players have agreed to defer between 10 per cent and 30 per cent of their wages

Southampton were the first club to agree deferrals, with players giving up 10 per cent of their wages for three months.

West Ham have followed suit, with some players giving up as much as 30 per cent of their pay packet.

Watford are understood to be close to becoming the third team in the Premier League to do likewise, with most of the squad agreeing to waive 30 per cent of pay for a period of time.

It is thought that the measures would not affect those clubs that have agreed wage cuts with their players.

Chelsea stars have agreed to take a 10 per cent wage cut, while Arsenal and Tottenham are also negotiating with their playing staffs.