Burnley and Middlesbrough both wanted to sign Emilian Metu before the Austrian midfielder completed a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich instead, as reported by Goal.
Now’s not the time or place to debate the pros and cons of Boris Johnson’s Brexit agreement.
But it seems the new legislation, which came into force on 1 January, has made recruiting talented youngsters that little bit more difficult for clubs in England.
In the post-Brexit world, it has become exceedingly difficult for Premier League and Championship clubs to snap up players under the age of 18 from EU countries.
So Burnley and Middlesbrough were always on a hiding to nothing when they attempted to lure 17-year-old Metu from Austrian outfit St Polten.
Not that the teenager will be too disappointed.
With all due respect to Burnley and Boro, they’re no Bayern.
And, according to Goal, Metu has signed a four-year contract with the reigning European champions, moving to Germany after catching the eye across the border.
“I was just driving home from a training match when my manager called me at 9pm and said a trial session at Bayern would be possible,” says Metu, who names Toni Kroos, Leon Goretzka and Dele Alli as his idols.
“The (Bayern) coaches told me on the spot they were enthusiastic and would like to sign me.”
If Metu follows in the gilded footsteps of Kroos or Goretzka at the Allianz Arena, Burnley may soon have a one-that-got-away story to rival the one about a young Michael Essien.
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