Pranav Nair
Manchester United handed advantage in Kieran Trippier pursuit thanks to post-Brexit rules
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United could benefit in their pursuit of Kieran Trippier, thanks to a new transfer rule brought about this summer due to Brexit.
The Red Devils go into the summer knowing full well that they need to make the right moves to progress to the next level. United fell short on multiple fronts last season, laying bare the weaknesses in our squad.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we have been linked with a variety of new players during the summer. One of them is Kieran Trippier, who will offer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer something new at right-back.
The 30-year-old currently with England at the Euros is coming off an excellent season with Atletico Madrid. Not only did he help them win the league but also was selected in the La Liga team of the year.
The veteran is keen to move to United after two years in Spain. As things stand, United and Atletico are some way off in their valuation of the player. The latter could however find themselves in a spot of bother due to the post-Brexit rules.
Following Britain’s exit from the EU earlier this year, La Liga amended their rules on foreign players. Players from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are now considered as ‘Non-EU’, which means they take up one of two available slots allowed to each club by the Spanish league.
Forcing Atletico’s hand?
The rule was supposed to come in at the end of January. However, the clubs and the league agreed to postpone it until the new season. Thanks to that, after June 30, Trippier will be considered as a non-EU player for Atletico Madrid.
With defenders Filipe and Renan Lodi already considered as non-EU players, the Spanish champions find themselves in a spot of bother regarding Trippier. They will have to sell off one of the three players or drop them altogether from next season’s registered squad.
The longer it drags on, the more chances United have of forcing Atletico’s hand regarding Trippier.
More Manchester United News
- Julian Nagelsmann hands Manchester United a blow in their pursuit of Kingsley Coman
- Manchester United star Luke Shaw admits he was worried about missing out on the Euros due to his wrist injury
- Roy Keane blasts Paul Pogba for his lack of leadership at Manchester United
There is hope from Spanish league teams that a compromise will be reached with the league and that players signed before Brexit will be exempted from the rule. However, whether that will happen remains to be seen.
