Ben Gibson was on Watford’s radar as far back as August 2018, so the recent flirting shouldn’t come as a surprise. The nature of the contact gives you an insight into how the final few days of transfer windows usual pan out for those who may be looking for a new club.



Typically, when a player is being made available for a loan or permanent transfer, their agent is informed. It’s then up to them to find out whether there is any potential interest. Watford’s scouts had watched Gibson play for Middlesbrough prior to his £15 million move to Burnley 18 months ago, therefore the defender’s representatives naturally considered them as a viable option.



The Athletic has learnt that informal discussions over a loan deal took place but both parties failed to find the common ground that was needed for the deal to go through. Whether wages, personal terms, loan fee or his lack of playing time mainly due to injuries — just six appearances...