Liverpool 'blocked' from signing key target in January despite agreement

Liverpool were forced to delay a potential move for one of their key midfield targets in January because of a FIFA regulation.

The Reds were quiet on deadline day, failing to bring in a new signing to Anfield. The day went largely as expected, with Jurgen Klopp stating on Sunday that Liverpool's business for January was done.

They signed Cody Gakpo from PSV in January 1 in a £37 million deal, but that was to be the limit of the club's incoming business.

There were no major outgoings, either, with several youngsters departing on loan and midfielder Jake Cain joining League Two Swindon on a permanent deal.

Klopp will now have to work with what he has until the end of the season, with Liverpool hopeful of having injured quartet Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Arthur Melo and Virgil van Dijk back in the upcoming weeks and months.

The Reds did have one midfielder on their radar, but were unable to complete a deal.

Liverpool not able to sign midfielder in January

Liverpool reportedly expressed interest in Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes, who moved to the Midlands from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £44 million last summer.

The Telegraph claimed that the Reds made an agreement to bid for the midfielder at a later date, having come close to signing him before the Wolves move.

It was claimed that a move would be more likely for the summer, although it was reported that the Reds and Chelsea, who were also interested, could launch a January bid.

However, as noted by The Athletic, that was not feasibly possible. Nunes has already played competitive matches for two clubs this season - he featured in two games for Sporting at the beginning of the season.

FIFA regulations state that a player can be officially registered with three clubs in one season, meaning a Liverpool move could have gone through in January.

However, the Portugal international would not have been allowed to play competitively for the Reds, as the regulation states that a player can only play official matches for two clubs in one season.

Therefore, while Liverpool could have signed Nunes last month, they would have had to send him back out on loan to either Wolves or Sporting for the remainder of the campaign.

It is a deal that the Reds could now look to complete in the summer, with a midfield a key area that requires strengthening. The Athletic have claimed that availability was a reason why they did not improve in that area in the window, with frustration clear to see.