Arsenal can exploit Premier League loophole to secure fifth summer signing after David Raya deal
Arsenal are expected to confirm the signing of David Raya on a season-long loan deal, but how will this affect Mikel Arteta’s plans for the remainder of the transfer window?
Once Arsenal officially announce the signing of David Raya, the focus can turn toward how the deal will affect Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar’s plans for the remainder of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have agreed on a deal to bring in the Spain international as competition for Aaron Ramsdale, initially on a season-long loan deal with an option to turn it into a permanent transfer for £27million next summer, but despite this, several hints as well as comments from Brentford manager Thomas Frank, there’s been no confirmation the move has been completed.
Nevertheless, it’s likely that Arsenal will soon confirm Raya as their fourth major signing of the summer window – after Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice – but what does this move mean for the club in terms of adding to the first-team further before deadline day?
Well, loan rules in the Premier League handbook state: “Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time” – but the guidance only applies to domestic loan signings. This means the Gunners can complete another loan deal for a player in the top flight of English football.
Having said that, another Premier League ruling which states: “The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.” As a result, Arsenal have space to register three more loan deals as long as two are non-domestic signings.
Meanwhile, as previously discussed by football.london, Arteta must name a 25-man Premier League squad after the transfer window slams shut. As things stand, including Raya’s expected arrival, the Gunners have 32 senior players that must be registered in order to feature in the competition.
Therefore, sales have to be the priority and seven is the magic number. Taking the Premier League ruling of 17 being the maximum number of overseas players permitted in the aforementioned squad this is where all the focus should be as Arsenal are currently over the limit by two.
Though as long as buyers can be found for Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Runar Alex Runarsson – who are all surplus to requirements – then the Gunners will comfortably avoid any issues in this department but in the knowledge that two more sales must be completed.
Folarin Balogun and Arthur Okonkwo are two names that immediately spring to mind after successful loan spells last season, but Kieran Tierney continues to be linked with a move away after falling down the left-back pecking order, although his future could be dependent on the significance of Timber’s injury.
Now, for Arsenal to add another signing after the Raya deal they can exploit a Premier League loophole by signing a player born on or after 1 January 2002 as he would then be registered on a separate list of Under-21 players who are eligible throughout the campaign regardless.
Alternatively, amid links to Mohammed Kudus, for example, to get this deal over the line another sale must be completed first in order to adhere to the Premier League’s rule with regard to a 25-man squad.
