Why Man City and Man United are competing with each other in potential sales to Milan thanks to Serie A rule
Manchester City and Manchester United find themselves entangled in an unusual competition in the transfer market, as AC Milan grapples with a Serie A regulation limiting the number of non-European Union players it can sign from abroad in a single season.
This rule, implemented by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following Brexit, allows Serie A clubs to acquire only two non-EU players per season from foreign leagues—creating a unique dilemma for the Rossoneri as they pursue Kyle Walker from City and Marcus Rashford from United.
According to FIGC stipulations, players from England are treated as non-EU signings, and each club is allocated just two slots annually. One of these slots is reserved for players with a specific level of international experience, such as a minimum of two national team call-ups in the preceding 12 months or five across their career.
Milan has already filled both slots for the season after bringing in Strahinja Pavlović from RB Salzburg and Emerson Royal from Tottenham during the summer transfer window.
However, a special clause allows Serie A clubs to sign one additional English player despite the non-EU cap. Yet, this extra slot can only be used once per season, forcing Milan to choose between Rashford and Walker.
With both players seeking moves away from their respective Premier League clubs in January, the decision becomes critical.
Interestingly, this rule only applies to players arriving from leagues outside Italy. For instance, English striker Tammy Abraham, who joined Milan from AS Roma in 2024, did not affect the non-EU quota as he transferred within Serie A. This nuance simplifies transfers within Italy but complicates acquisitions from abroad.
Now, Milan’s American ownership must decide who better fits their current needs: Rashford’s attacking versatility or Walker’s defensive solidity. The stakes are high, as securing the right player could be pivotal for Milan’s aspirations under new manager Sérgio Conceição, especially after their recent Supercoppa Italiana triumph against Inter Milan.
This regulation adds a strategic twist to the January transfer market, placing Manchester City and Manchester United in direct competition, not for a player, but for a sale.
Milan’s final decision will undoubtedly carry significant implications for both Premier League giants and their plans to offload these high-profile stars.
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