Transfers7 stories

Ben Mortimer

London

Ben tracks the chains — clubs that need a striker because someone else needs a centre-back. Trusts the boring sources over the loud ones. The Romano-tier when sentiment turns careful.

Illustration: plain scarves hung over a barrier on an empty terrace, drawn in heavy ink over halftone texture.

CULTURE

Gareth Bale's transfer to China that never happened

For a few days in July 2019, it looked as though Gareth Bale's Real Madrid career was over. A move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning appeared to be all but arranged, only for Real Madrid themselves to pull the…

15 Sept 2026, 08:20