Amid a record-breaking spree, City’s crowded roster forces tough choices as 19-year-old Vitor Reis may miss the Champions League play-offs
Manchester City’s ambitious transfer window has hit an unexpected regulatory snag. After sealing the signing of Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto for around £50 million on deadline day—pushing their total spending over £180 million—City now face a UEFA rule that limits the number of additional players that can be registered for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Gonzalez, a 23-year-old product of the Barcelona youth academy, expressed his excitement on City’s official website, saying, “I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There’s no better club than Manchester City for me to do that. Look at the squad they have—it’s unbelievable, full of world-class players. I’m honored to work with Pep.” His signing marks a major boost for the squad, especially as City look to compensate for the injury crisis that left star midfielder Rodri sidelined.
However, UEFA regulations stipulate that only three additional players from the group stage squad can be registered for the knockout rounds, regardless of any departures. With City having brought in four new players this window, one signing will inevitably be left out. Reports suggest that the likely candidate for exclusion is 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, who has been on the bench for the last two games since his move from Palmeiras.
Other additions this window include Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, who has started both matches, and Abdukodir Khusanov, who had a mixed debut against Chelsea. Additionally, 18-year-old defender Juma Bah, signed from Real Valladolid amid controversy, has been sent on loan to Lens for the rest of the season, meaning he too won’t be registered for the Champions League.
As Manchester City prepare for the high-stakes play-off round, they now face the challenge of balancing their revamped squad while complying with UEFA’s strict registration rules—a critical decision that will impact their campaign in Europe.
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