Kieran Maguire: Leeds United to be handed ‘giant’ transfer boost after FA twist
Leeds United could be handed a ‘giant boost’ to their transfer strategy if the FA loosen their points-based system.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the stumbling blocks currently in place for Premier League clubs recruiting European talent.
The FA introduced a post-Brexit plan that required European players to meet entry requirements in order to join English clubs.
Football’s Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) proposal means players have to earn points through club appearances, international appearances and the quality of the selling club.
Leeds’ latest accounts release included a note that claimed Leeds are confident of the GBE points system being relaxed.
Maguire believes loosening the rules would allow clubs like Leeds to recruit younger European talent with fewer hurdles to jump.
“The points system judges the ability to recruit players from the EU,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“At the age of 16 or 17, I’m not sure any relaxation of the rules will allow that as it will still breach broader Fifa regulations.
“But if you’re looking at the middle-class market in terms of player recruitment from EU clubs, this is where the players don’t have enough points.
“Qualifying for the Champions League or Europa League effectively gives a player enough points to be signed, but Premier League clubs still want to sign players from European clubs not in elite competition.
“There are clubs around Europe generating great young players and Premier League clubs are finding it difficult to recruit them.
“Loosening these rules would provide a giant boost to clubs like Leeds United who could be on the lookout for these outsider players.“
In other news, Kieran Maguire: Leeds United push for last-gasp ‘discount’ after confirmed £25m transfer news