Why Milan can only sign one of Rashford or Walker in January | OneFootball

Milan have been linked with moves for two England internationals in Marcus Rashford and Kyle Walker in the January transfer window, but the Rossoneri would only be able to register one of them to their Serie A squad as things stand.

Rashford’s representatives have met with directors from a number of different clubs across Europe over the last week, including Milan, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, as the 27-year-old looks to secure a move away from Old Trafford, potentially on loan.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during warm-up before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur, in Manchester, Britain, 29 September 2024. EPA-EFE/ADAM VAUGHAN EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker has requested the opportunity to explore options abroad as his time at the Etihad draws to a close. Milan have also been linked with a move for him to strengthen their options at full-back.

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Though Milan face stiff competition from a number of teams for both players, the reason why the club would not be able to register both Rashford and Walker is not purely down to finances.

Why Milan can only sign one of Rashford or Walker

Serie A has very specific rules surrounding the registration of non-EU players: There is also a cap on the number of non-EU players each club is able to register in each transfer window.

Serie A has had to clarify its stance on the status of British players post-Brexit. Players from the UK are currently classed the same as those from Switzerland and Albania, who are also not members of the European Union.

Effectively, each Serie A club is only allowed to register a maximum of two new non-EU players in each transfer window.

However, as of the 2024-25 season, the league has made a slight revision to the previous rule, and now, Serie A clubs are only allowed to register one British player and one Albanian player per transfer window.

That means that even if Milan were able to convince both Rashford and Walker to join, they would only be able to register one of them in January.