Players at West Ham and Southampton have agreed to defer a percentage of their wages

Clubs who are deferring wages in the coronavirus crisis could face spending restrictions until players are paid the money they are owed.

Talks have already taken place at EFL board level after the Professional Footballers’ Association raised the matter. There is a groundswell of feeling that clubs who have chosen to delay paying players’ salaries during the health crisis should not be allowed to add to their wage bill until squad members have been reimbursed.

Furthermore, any money accrued from outgoing transfers should be used, in the first instance, to pay those players who have agreed to go without.

The development could have significant repercussions at Premier League level. Southampton’s players have agreed to give up 10 per cent of their salaries for April, May