‘UEFA strict rule’: Manchester United banned from signing transfer target

Manchester United have been banned from signing one of their top transfer targets this summer due to a strict UEFA rule.

The first transfer window of the summer closed on Tuesday evening but clubs across Europe are still busy negotiating deals ahead of the window opening again next week.

After failing to impress on all fronts last season, Manchester United are one of the most active clubs in the transfer window as they hope to bring in fresh legs.

The Red Devils have secured a deal for former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha, but remain in contact with several clubs over other potential deals.

However, United will have to wait to pursue one of their top transfer targets, as a strict UEFA rule has banned them from signing him this summer.

Multiple reports have suggested United are considering signing a new keeper this summer and have identified with OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka as a perfect fit.

Marcin Bulka of OGC Nice has been linked with a move to Manchester United (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

However, if Bulka is United’s top target, then they will be forced to wait until the January transfer window due to a UEFA rule that prohibits United from signing players from the French club until September.

This is because, as of February last year, both Manchester United and Nice are owned by Ineos and rules introduced by the First Chamber of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body [CFCB] last summer targeted the multi-club model.

Although the two clubs were allowed to participate in this season’s Europa League, a UEFA statement said that the two clubs, “will not transfer players to each other, whether permanently or on loan, directly or indirectly, from July 2024 until September 2025, with the exception of pre-existing transfer agreements that had been entered into before the opening of the CFCB proceedings.”

United will now be forced to look elsewhere or stick with Andre Onana. The Cameroonian kept only 11 clean sheets in 50 appearances in all competitions this season, conceding a total of 65 goals.