She sealed deal near the end of September (6)
I believe the answer is:
closer
'she sealed deal' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'near the end of september' is the wordplay.
'near' becomes 'close' (synonyms).
'the end of' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'september' is 'r'.
'close'+'r'='CLOSER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for closer that I've seen before include "Comparatively near" , "More airless; nearer" , "One who is skilled at bringing a business transaction to a satisfactory conclusion" , "Nearer or more penny-pinching" , "one concludes" .)