Premier League clubs looking to buy UK-based players before deadline
Premier League clubs are focusing on buying from within the UK in the final day of the transfer window.
Sky Sports News is reporting that because of COVID-19 and visa restrictions, “buying British” may be the way to go for teams in the final hours of the market.
While deals for players from abroad are very much possible, a football agent told Sky Sports that such transfers are taking more time than usual due to COVID-19 and the fact that even EU players need UK visas following Brexit.
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“I know of one Premier League club who have pulled out of a deal to sign a German player because they think there is no way they can complete the necessary procedures and paperwork in time,” the agent told Sky Sports News.
“That was with a full 36 hours still to go.
“The buying club’s options are limited at this stage in the window. Since Brexit, every foreign player – including European-based players – needs a visa to enter and work in the UK.
“But you can’t apply for a visa from inside the UK [unless you are applying to renew an existing visa]. So, we’ve seen many examples where a player has had to fly into the UK to complete a medical, then leave the country again to apply for a visa.
“On Transfer Deadline Day, it’s very unlikely all that can be done in double-quick time, especially because players and their representatives will need to complete coronavirus tests for international travel.”