Premier League clubs have reportedly shown ‘unanimous support’ towards relaxing the rules over foreign recruitment and believe the Football Association’s stance on the topic is ‘softening’.
The subject was discussed at a meeting between representatives from all 20 Premier League clubs last month with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham present, though a vote was not conducted.
The talks come following the UK’s exit from the European Union, which has complicated matters when it comes to signing young players from abroad.
Teams can no longer freely sign u18 players from abroad with a points system used to calculate whether a deal can proceed. Should the player meet the required criteria, it inevitably inflates the price-tag.
There is a sense that that current rules lead to greater finances from English footballing heading abroad and with change could see more money remain in the domestic game. According to The Athletic, 62% of the £1.9bn record spend from Premier League clubs this summer went to foreign sides.
A relaxing of the rules would allow English clubs to sign foreign prospects for lower sums, rather than pay inflated figures to clubs in other European leagues who have easier access to overseas talent.
For the first time there is understood to be a softened stance from the FA, who have perviously been reluctant to relax rules on foreign imports in a bid to improve and protect the England national side. It is believed that the changes proposed could lead to more money remaining in English football at a time when the lower pyramid is in desperate need of resources.
Changes would need to be voted on and finalised and it is unlikely that new rules will be implemented before next summer’s transfer window.
