Kieran Maguire: Flurry of cut-price signings on cards for Arsenal after behind-the-scenes latest
Arsenal are less likely to be held to ransom in the transfer market if the post-Brexit point-based system is relaxed.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about possible changes to the rules on foreign transfers.
Premier League clubs spent a record £1.9billion on new signings in the summer, with high-flying Arsenal alone shelling out close to £120million.
Analysts suggest that clubs are overpaying to sign talent from Europe as the governing body endorsement point system, whereby a player must satisfy a points quota to be granted a work permit, has limited the recruitment pool.
But The Athletic reported on Monday (3 October) that the FA, who have historically wanted UK teams to shop domestically in the interests of the England national team, have softened their stance on the GBE system.
It is understood that there is unanimous support for the relaxation of GBE in the top flight.
Maguire explained why the likes of the Gunners are more likely to secure cut-price signings if this comes to fruition.
“I think every Premier League club will be in favour of the softening of GBE rules,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“I think you can see the motivations for this with regard to the political situation. If you place restrictions on labour, that drives up the price of both wages and transfer fees.
“Because of the point-based system, the pool of players who can come to the UK is limited.
“This has been reflected in the level of spending we have seen in the Premier League, particularly in the last transfer window.”
In other news, Arsenal in advanced talks to agree ‘huge’ Gabriel Martinelli deal