"Prefers to go to Tottenham, where he believes..." a positive amongst the spin

Spanish outlet AS, which first came to prominence for me with prolonged anti-Spurs propaganda during the prolonged acquisition of both Gareth Bale and Luke ‘No like Chicken Badge’ Modric, has finally found something positive to say about us.

In respect of Mateus Fernández, they are saying that we are the players’ preferred destination.

“…the operation of Mateus Fernández is ruled out because the 21-year-old footballer prefers to go to Tottenham, where he believes he has more chances of growing.”

This is remarkably positive stuff. It suggests that Real Madrid for the lad is a step too far at this stage of his career, a realisation which Micky van de Venn probably made last term, and that Roberto De Zerbi has the confidence of the player and his agent.

If only the same noises were coming out of the Sandro Tonali camp. Personal terms were supposed to be agreed, yet it’s all gone quiet.

The Mail Online are not running with anything approaching a ringing endorsement. They say Tonali prefers Arsenal.

However, that article is behind a paywall.

Football London also warns of an Arsenal hijack in a predictably screamy headline, but there’s nothing to substantiate the claim within the article.

Trust in the mainstream media is at an all-time low, and this sector in particular is on its knees.

A paywall and a lie? No, thanks. I have to tell you, maybe I’m losing my touch, but this all adds up to nothing much happening, which is allowed in transfer deals.