Man City blocked from registering new signing for Champions League because of little-known rule

Manchester City have been blocked from registering one of their new signings for the Champions League play-off round due to a little-known rule.

City signed Nico Gonzalez for around £50 million from FC Porto on transfer deadline day, with the Spanish midfielder completing his move before the 11pm deadline.

The 23-year-old came through the Barcelona youth academy and became City's fourth signing of the window, taking their total spending to over £180 million.

He told City's official website: "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 here. It's unbelievable, full of world class players.

"I know the reputation Pep has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team."

A message from Nico! 🩵👋 pic.twitter.com/VDbeFgJ1wG

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 3, 2025

City will hope the Spaniard can make an immediate impact in the Premier League as they attempt to qualify for next season's Champions League.

They will hope he can do so in Europe as well - but that will come at the cost of another one of the club's new signings.

That is because, under UEFA rules, only three additional players can be registered for the knockout stages of their competitions from the squad that took part in the group stage.

The rule is in place regardless of any outgoings, meaning Kyle Walker's loan departure to AC Milan has little impact in this case.

With City having signed four players, one of their new signings will have to miss out on the Champions League squad.

That would appear likely to be 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, who has been on the bench in City's last two games since joining from Palmeiras but is yet to make his debut.

Omar Marmoush has started both games since his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, while Abdukodir Khusanov had a mixed debut against Chelsea.

City also signed 18-year-old defender Juma Bah from Real Valladolid in controversial fashion in January, with the Spanish club accusing City of 'appearing to advise' the player to cancel his contract with them.

He has moved on loan to French side Lens for the rest of the season so will not be registered in City's Champions League squad.