Premier League clubs will have to ensure at least half of their squad is made up of homegrown players in sweeping changes designed to counter issues arising from Brexit.

The FA’s proposal, which is to be presented to the top flight’s 20 clubs this week, will result in a reduction of overseas players to a maximum of 12 per first-team squad.

Current rules on overseas players state that clubs can have 17 in their 25-man squad, meaning at least eight must be homegrown (players of any nationality who have spent three years with an English club before turning 21).

The move comes amid concerns over how Brexit will impact on the free movement of EU citizens as clubs continue to work towards a deal with the FA.

A no-deal scenario could well result in EU players needing to get work permits to play in England, which has previously complicated transfers and even prevented non-EU players moving to the Premier League in the past.

A player’s number of international caps, the FIFA ranking of the country they represent, wages and the transfer fee paid are used to decide if a work permit is granted.

Players of exceptional talent can be awarded a work permit regardless of failing to meet the previous criteria – a route which Watford took when signing Richarlison in the summer of 2017.

The Times reports that the FA will grant governing body endorsements for every foreign player contracted at Premier League clubs in return for them agreeing to the proposals.

Such a policy, the FA hopes, would allow leading talent to move to the Premier League while having a positive impact on the number of English players in the top tier.

Watford will, however, feel a significant impact from the proposal and join Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Brighton and Huddersfield in having the maximum 17 overseas players in their squad.

They would have until at least the end of 2020 to rectify the situation as there is a transition period before all Brexit changes will be implemented.

The FA’s plans are unlikely to be met with universal approval and they have struggled to find common ground with the Premier League over the issue of overseas players.

The Premier League were keen for all overseas players to be granted a work permit regardless of meeting the requirements set out by current rules.

For the FA, Brexit represents a considerable opportunity to increase homegrown representation at the highest level of the game – a long-held target for English football’s governing body.

A minimum of 80 more homegrown players would instantly be involved with top flight clubs and in theory opportunities for young English players would be greater.