The Write Hook by Ciaran Shanks

DEADLINE day has been and gone for the footballing world.

But the clock is still ticking for one of boxing’s biggest stars to sign a megabucks deal.

The pressure is mounting on British boxing’s one-time golden boy Amir Khan to fight fierce rival Kell Brook at Wembley Stadium this summer.

Both have spent the last four years squabbling about who is the better man. During and after his world title reign, Khan always insisted he was a class above Sheffield contender Brook.

Brook argued his size, power and skill would be too much for the Olympic silver medalist.

Those arguments still stand but the landscape of the potential fight has changed completely.

The undefeated Brook is now IBF welterweight champion whereas Khan hasn't challenged for a world title since losing his WBA strap to Danny Garcia in 2012.

Much to the dismay of British boxing fans, Khan has spent the last two years chasing a fight with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

But neither of the sport’s modern icons were interested in taking on such a high-risk, low-reward, opponent in Khan.

Mayweather’s ‘retirement’ and Pacquiao’s impending curtain call this year means a fight with Brook has never been closer.

Khan, however, is still playing hard to get and a rather petty Twitter spat with Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn caused many to fear negotiations could be dead in the water.

If it’s as easy as he says it is, Khan should take the fight with Brook and dispose of him.

But one presumes there's an inkling of doubt in Amir Khan’s mind and it would have to be really worth his while to step in the ring with Brook.

It’s not just Khan that needs Brook for a career-defining, money-spinning battle.

Brook is desperate for that stand-out name on his record that would cement his legacy as a world great.

So far, his superb win over Shawn Porter to win the belt is his best victory. He is, however, due some slack for injuries and mandatory defence obligations.

Brook is due another mandatory defence in March, this time against bang average Canadian Kevin Bizier. He needs a breakout 2016.

Khan, meanwhile, hasn't fought since May of last year where he handily beat Chris Algieri over 12 rounds in Brooklyn.

He has another out with Brook though a rematch with Garcia for his newly-won WBC belt is a distinct possibility.

But with nothing box office currently on the horizon for both men – unless Uncle Floyd steps out from the shadows – they should do what's right for all concerned and get the fight made.

Hearn’s months of negotiations for Carl Froch Vs George Groves II were gruelling, it took years to make Carl Frampton Vs Scott Quigg.

But they were still signed and delivered.

Patience and time is wearing thin but as his previous successes show, if anyone can be trusted with such a mighty effort, it’s Hearn.