The Spanish League (LFP) has granted Athletic Bilbao special dispensation of one month to sign a replacement for Javi Martinez.
Martinez joined Bayern Munich before the end of the transfer deadline and Los Leones argued they had not been given sufficient time to find a suitable alternative to the Spanish international.
According to El Corrreo, sources have confirmed that the 12 members of the LFP’s Executive Committee have sided with the Basques and they will now have four weeks to bring somebody in.
The period of grace expires on September 29 and Bilbao will only be able to sign players from La Liga, provided the rescission clause in the footballer’s contract is met.
Recent reports have suggested Athletic have made a bid for Malaga left-back Ignacio Monreal, although if it is not done by tonight then he will be unavailable for the group stages of the Europa League.
The knock-on effect is that if Monreal does move to San Mames then Malaga themselves will have permission to sign a player, with the selling club also being free to sign somebody and so on.
