Unable to sign players whose contracts are expiring soon

So I'm managing Cardiff, 3rd in league and doing quite well. I can feel that we're going to win promotion, either outright or through playoff, so I'm trying to prepare for next season. It's 2nd Jan 2010 - and I'm looking for suitable targets whose contract is expiring 30.6.2010 (less than 6 months away), which should mean I can sign on free now.

I expect to be able to "Offer to Sign", but the option is never available, I can only "Make an Offer", which means spending money - and I have none.

What gives here? There was the message that "Clubs can sign again - transfer window open/etc", yesterday.

I can sign free agents (should I want), so it's not a case of the board preventing transfers. I can make offers that involve cash/exchange/etc.

Why am I unable to sign players whose contracts will expire in 6 months?

I think it's a rule in England that you can only approach player with just one month left on their contracts.

The relates to transfers between two english clubs, one month left that is. Its six month if your trying to sign from a foreign club, if i remember correctly, scotland would count as foriegn

Ok, thanks guys.

I was under the impression that 6 months was universal.

Problem solved.

I think russian & south american teams have protected contracts too.

I think it's six weeks rather than a month for pre-contract deals where a player would be moving between English clubs.