© IMAGO – Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
Liverpool will take advantage of a new rule in order to secure a record signing. The Reds are closing in right now.
Fabrizio Romano is one of those claiming Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Armin Pecsi. The goalkeeper is expected to join the Reds this summer.
Article continues under the video
READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms agreement for winger
And it will be a record transfer for his club, Puskas Akademia. Liverpool hope to snap up one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe with the deal.
“Liverpool set to agree deal to sign 20 year old goalkeeper Armin Pecsi from Puskas Akademia,” writes Romano.
“Record sale for the Hungarian club as Pecsi said yes to Liverpool project, final details club to club and all done on player side.
“Here we go, soon.”
It’s an interesting one, though. Liverpool must take advantage of a new rule in order to make it happen.
READ MORE: Liverpool open talks with AC Milan over winger
Liverpool to use ESC ruling
Pecsi doesn’t have enough football under his belt to qualify for a work-permit with a Premier League side. The goalkeeper falls a fair way short, in fact.
The only way Liverpool can make this happen, then, is by using a rule introduced in 2023 for ‘Elite Significant Contribution’ players. It’s a rule that was brought in to help clubs secure elite talent with high potential.
Pecsi is certainly that but Liverpool must register him in some way. That could be with the senior side as a third-choice goalkeeper or with the Under 21s.
But Liverpool haven’t used this ruling before. It’s a sign of just how highly they rate Pecsi – the Reds are willing to argue that he’s got truly elite potential in order to have him qualify.
Now, there’s a chance Pecsi leaves on loan, though it’s highly unlikely that Liverpool would risk not finding the ‘right’ club for the 20-year-old. After all, they’re not going to get him for free – this will cost at least €2m.
Signing him without a work-permit risks leaving him completely in limbo, as has happened before with the likes of Allan. Liverpool aren’t ones to take a chance like that with a million-pound signing and so we fully expect them to use the ESC rule in order to at least register him for the Under 21s.
READ MORE: Florian Wirtz deal confirms Liverpool have finally fixed Zubimendi mistake
And with that, we’ve got a first.
Read the full article here