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Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino will be granted a work permit, the FA has told the ECHO.

It now leaves the normal club medical as the only barrier between the Brazilian midfielder and his arrival at Anfield.

The 23-year-old will become the club’s second most expensive signing ever in a deal from Hoffenheim which could be worth up to £28m.

The ECHO reported yesterday that new FA regulations brought in from May 1 mean that Firmino is required to have played in 30% of Brazil’s competitive internationals over the last 24 months to be granted an automatic permit.

Since he did not feature in the Brazilian Confederations Cup side of June 2013 or the World Cup side of June 2014, meeting that criteria seemed in doubt with just his three Copa America appearances this month to fall back on so far.

Watch: Roberto Firmino video highlights

However an FA spokesman explained: “Liverpool will not apply for the work permit until after the transfer window officially opens on July 1. Confederation Cup wouldn’t count in the previous 24 months if the application is for after July 1 as that tournament finished on 30 June 2013.

“He’s going to get in, there’s no concern here. Quality players will get in, the regulations are there to tackle average players. It is an independent panel according to the Home Office rules albeit run through the FA but there are not expected to be any problems.”

With Confederations Cup out of the equation, Firmino has played three out of Brazil’s last 10 internationals, hitting the 30% target, and that figure is likely to increase if Brazil continue to progress in the current Copa America.

Firmino and Liverpool team-mate Philippe Coutinho are likely to be involved in Brazil’s quarter final tie with Paraguay at 10.30pm UK time on Saturday night.