Go ahead with the appeal, if you are unsuccessful in getting them a work permit then it will say you can still sign them but you must loan them out (or something similar). But each time you have to appeal first.
So far my high scoring Sevilla side have just drew the first 3 games since the update 0-0 against some of the weakest teams. What is more worrying is the number of key highlights, and shots on goal (from either side) is very low compared to pre-patch. Will keep trying and see what occurs.