When U.K. were still part of Europe they had relaxed workers rules including footballers, so you could sign anyone from the EU. That was down to U.K. immigration laws. Despite being part of the EU they still controlled who and to what extent came into the country.This also makes no immediate sense to me, but there might be european rules limiting the signing of non-EU players that now no longer apply. Although you'd think the immigration rules the UK have put instead in place would not result in a more liberal practice. But it's possible I guess.
now they have very strict policy on EU nationals to get a work visa so it is near impossible to sign a promising kid. Which will mean that you will have to wait for them to get international caps Etc. And increase in price.,
On the flip side they’ve relaxed the rules on non-EU nationals to make up the shortfall in the workforce, including South American footballers. So we might see a few more use the U.K. as their stepping stone to playing in Spain which is what a fair percentage of them aspire to.
It’s not all as rosy as Scott Sellars makes out. It was a legitimate concern by the PL during brexit