Most footballers become famous for playing the game but others attract renown for not liking it – foremost among the latter category is Arsenal’s Ben White. Accordingly, it would make sense were he to join David Moyes’s Everton, who are seeking to resolve a problematic right-back situation. The chance to follow in the footsteps of Tony Hibbert, typically a huge pull factor, is nullified because White presumably has no idea who he is.
Elsewhere on Merseyside, it appears Liverpool have finally discovered the best way to improve a dodgy defence is not to buss hundreds of millions on attackers, but to have decent defenders. Consequently, they are looking at Como’s Jacobo Ramón – and so too are Chelsea, should the romance of being stockpiled with a 68-year contract prove too alluring to turn down.
Across London, the Brentfordification of Tottenham continues apace with Thomas Frank keen to furnish his long-ball humping with the aimless running and exhibition effort of Conor Gallagher, now out of favour at Atlético Madrid. Naturally, though, the player would prefer to go anywhere else, with Aston Villa the favourites for his signature.
Villa are also interested in Will Osula, Newcastle’s Danish striker, having discovered Gonzalo García would prefer to stay at Real Madrid. The player, though, may decide that being proximate to Eddie Howe is a privilege impossible to abort.
Borussia Dortmund are keeping tabs on Oscar Bobb after Manchester City’s purchase of Antoine Semenyo – a deal which means Pep Guardiola has, in the last 12 months, coached his bosses to spend roughly £450m on new players, most of them replacing others bought through the exact same process. Such is the tortured life of a football genius.
Elsewhere, it looks like Michael Carrick, has “won” the “race” to take over from Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. Having retired from playing in 2018, he would return to Old Trafford to discover United have still not replaced him, becoming the 693rd manager of the Post-Fergie Wilderness Years to try to make a football team good without use of a midfield.
Back to Tottenham, and it appears Fabio Paratici, a pioneer of the suits-whose-names-you-somehow-know era, is leaving for Fiorentina, third-bottom of a Serie A and yet still a more attractive option; the move will happen after the closing of the window. Meantime, Paris FC are interested in taking Mathys Tel on loan, but Spurs would prefer to keep him and his three goals in 19 appearances, presumably so Richarlison and his eight goals in 31 appearances don’t feel lonely.
