With Liverpool’s move for ex-Barcelona ‘keeper Victor Valdes looking all the more likely as the days go by, it’s been revealed that the Reds will need to get approval from the Premier League if they want to him to play before the winter transfer window opens.
Despite the fact that he’s a free agent and not held to the normal restrictions, Liverpool have named their squad for domestic competitions already. According to Premier League rules, any team looking to amend their squad list between transfer windows would need to submit a
formal application to do so — something that’s not unheard of, but a little bit out of the norm. The application would be reviewed with the league holding the authority to grant or reject any changes.
Thankfully, should the transfer go through, the Reds have room in their squad to add Valdes straight off the hop. With only 19 senior players named, Liverpool have some wiggle room as teams can name up to 25 senior players. Even the home-grown rule — which is complicated enough as it is — wouldn’t stop them as they have only nine non-home-grown players in the squad when the maximum is 17.
Despite being linked with a number of ‘keepers during the summer, Liverpool never did make an official move for one and Valdes could very well be the reason why. Although he won’t be fit enough to play until October, the three time Champions League winner is exactly the type of player that Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is looking to add to the squad. Not only can he provide adequate cover for current incumbent Simon Mignolet, but he can also push the Belgian for the starting spot.
Good thing we left room for him!
