BWFC 24

Rumours, Truth or Half-truths?

The English tradition of speculation and rumours about football players and which club they’re signing continues and will do so until the transfer window closes on September 1st. The media is full of transfer news, rumour and speculation, but the only sure way of finding out the truth is when a player holds up the home shirt of their new club for press photographers, even if it is too big.

Lee Chung–Yong Officially a Wanderer

That said, are you ready for the latest summary of rumours about who to expect at The Reebok?

Jermaine Beckford

First of all Bolton boss Gary Megson gets linked with Leeds striker, Jermaine Beckford and promptly tells The Bolton news;

“You’re going to get a lot of this kind of thing because people know we are looking for a certain position. Agents see that window closing down and the gossip fills papers.

“It’s wrong of me to say no, or yes, because it’s an agenda that I haven’t created.

“I’ve never told anyone the name of the player that we are trying to bring in — I don’t do that.”

BWFC24 Rumour Verdict: FALSE
Don’t expect Leeds to let go of their goal scoring striker. Megson is playing with the press with a subtle half–truth, it would be wrong of him to say ‘yes’.

Achille Emana

Meanwhile the speculation continues. According to Sky Sports Cameroon intenational, Achille Emana being added to Bolton’s squad for a mere £7million or so after his current club Real Betis failed to stay in the Spanish top league.

He told Sky Sports;

“Everyone knows I love Seville but it is important to play in the top, rather than second division in any league. A decision will be taken very soon to satisfy all parties.”

BWFC24 Rumour Verdict: SPEECHLESS
I cannot imagine Bolton coming up with the cash, unless the aforementioned sale of the Shittu and McCann raises enough to add what we can now speculate is a £5m kitty.

Mauro Boselli

Sky Sports also link The Wanderers with Argentine striker Mauro Boselli, along with West Ham, Hull City and Wigan. Boselli currently plays for Estudiantes de La Plata in Argentina’s top league.

Boselli’s UK representative Barry McIntosh told Sky Sports;

“Mauro is one of the best strikers in Argentina and it is little surprise there is such interest in him.

“We cannot go into details at this point, but a move before the transfer window shuts does look possible.”

BWFC24 Rumour Verdict: FALSE
His rep says, ‘we cannot go into details,’ for one reason and that is because there are no details. I imagine that Bolton would welcome him to the club so you never know!

Elyaniv Barda

There has been no news about Elyaniv Barda, the Israeli that BWFC allegedly wanted to bring from Racing Genk.

BWFC24 Rumour Verdict: Watch this space
This is the only rumour that has a slight ring of truth about it.

David Nugent

Nor has there been an update about Bolton’s dealings with Portsmouth. While it certainly looks like Bolton are trying to offload Danny Shittu and Gavin McCann to raise money for a new striker a deal that involves Pompey’s David Nugent is highly unlikely.

BWFC24 Rumour Verdict: Yeah but no but…
Shittu and McCann are destined to leave, if Bolton can find a buyer, but Nugent won’t be moving back up north just yet.

Conclusion

Rumours? They will always be there, sometimes they are fun, but rumours are generally based upon — no wait — they’re not based upon anything except possibly a half–truth.

Truth? The truth can be hard to come by when it comes to the football transfer market. Club officials remain cagey, players are probably restricted in what they say, agents and reps all too often want to be in the limelight and are often rumour instigators I’m sure. The truth can only be ascertained for sure from the actual clubs involved in a transfer and more often than not, only when the deal has been completed and we see the aforementioned shirt holding photo.

Half-truths? Common during the transfer window — half–truths about a player’s status are where many rumours start. The most recent half–truth that had some relevance to Bolton was when Swidon Town’s boss, Danny Wilson tried to hide the identity of a player he hoped to sign.