05 Jan 2018 13:30:55
Hello Eds, general question regarding the pre-contract situation.

As i understand it (I'll use Goretzka as an example) .
Goretzka is unable to speak to a German club until the summer, but free to speak with foreign clubs now. Does Bayern Munich officially declaring an interest in the player count as a form of 'tapping up' or breaking the rules at all?

{Ed001's Note - you misunderstand it. Bayern can offer him a precontract now for the summer. It is only between English clubs that a deal has to wait until a month before the deal ends.}

1.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 13:38:54
This wasn't the case with Matip as far as I remember?

2.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 13:57:16
My understanding is that the player can discuss/ sign pre contract with clubs from other associations/ leagues in the last 6 months of his contract. However, he can't do so with a club playing in the association.

So Goreztka can't discuss/ sign pre contract with a German club (Bayern say) but can do so with say Liverpool, Juve, Barca, River Plate etc.
Same thing now with Emre Can and Juve.

3.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 14:38:15
RBL, that's the way I understand it as well.

So if that is correct, surely B. Munich have been wrong in declaring an interest now?

4.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 14:38:59
He can if schalke give permission.

5.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 16:57:17
RBL and others, see Ed002's reply to the OP, its only in England that teams from the same association have to wait until the month before. In Germany, for example, a team in the same league can sign a pre-contract.

6.) 05 Jan 2018
05 Jan 2018 18:48:44
All things can work so long as the club with the player's registration are in discussions and agree. Something liverpool should take note of.