Rare FIFA rule is currently stopping Liverpool from signing top midfield target Matheus Nunes

Liverpool won't be able to sign Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers this month due to regulations put in place by FIFA.

The Reds are desperate for reinforcements in midfield, failing to properly invest in that area of the pitch over the summer.

Arthur Melo arrived from Juventus on a season-long loan but is currently out of action after undergoing thigh surgery.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract in the summer, while Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho aren't getting any younger.

Liverpool were without Henderson for Monday's 3-1 defeat to Brentford, with Fabinho and Thiago underperforming at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Before that game, the Telegraph reported Liverpool's interest in exploring a £44 million deal for Nunes, who joined Wolves in August.

The 24-year-old came close to joining Jurgen Klopp's side but instead opted to move to the Midlands over Merseyside.

If Nunes is Klopp's preferred target, Liverpool will have to wait until the summer transfer window opens to get their man.

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Nunes played two Primeira Liga games for Sporting before joining Wolves. Per FIFA regulations, a player can only represent two clubs per season.

He's featured 16 times for Wolves, who have struggled this term, since making a move to England.

Liverpool confirmed the signing of Cody Gakpo last week to bolster their attacking line. It naturally brought questions about further investment in January.

Klopp hit back prior to the Brentford game, telling supporters Liverpool don't have an infinite amount of money to spend compared to their top six rivals.

He said: "I’m now seven years [in the Liverpool job]. It’s every transfer window. We talk about these things as if money wouldn’t play a role and it’s just like ‘who cares?’

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"But it was never like this where you could just spend money. I don’t want to disappoint anybody, but we’ve signed an outstanding player like Gakpo and the next thing you read is ‘who’s next?’

"We cannot play [the transfer window] like Monopoly. Of course, we cannot just spend. We never could!

"It’s a big part of my philosophy to have faith and trust with the players you have – and not constantly questioning them by telling them that we’re looking at other players for their position.

"With Cody, it’s obvious. We have a void now [in the attack] and the timing was perfect. If we’d waited until the summer, he’d definitely have been even more expensive or somebody else would have picked him up."

Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League, seven points behind Manchester United in fourth. They return to action against Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.