Work permit issue to scupper Zola deal?

[Chase]

After looking like the deal was signed and sealed on Thursday, issues over a new work permit could put the transfer in jeopardy.

It appears the transfer of Calvin Zola could be more complicated than first feared. It's believed that a fee of around 200,000 has been agreed with the Wirral based club and personal terms have been agreed.

For the transfer to be complete the Home Office will have to issue a new work permit for Zola to continue playing in England and there are strict rules regarding foreign players playing in the UK.

"In order for foreign footballers to secure a contract in the United Kingdom, certain criteria must be satisfied. The most important and basic of which is that countries from which players originate should not fall below 70 in the FIFA rankings over a two-year period"

Zola hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo and they sit in 93rd position in the FIFA world rankings so the deal could be off because the player may not be able to obtain a work permit.