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Juan Sebastian Veron

Medium: Transfer Rumour

Medium: Transfer Rumour

Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

This episode is medium so we’re looking at football words and phrases you need to describe what’s happening on the pitch or words and phrases fans and commentators on TV might use. There are lots of phrasal verbs to learn at this level.

Summary

Learn more football vocabulary with Premier Skills English. Each lesson in our Premier Vocabulary section looks at one football word or phrase. This lesson looks at the phrase transfer rumour

You can find more lessons on the side of this page.

Transcript

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to Premier Skills English - Premier Vocabulary.

Jack: Hi there! I’m Jack. We’re here to help you with your football English. Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. 

Rich: We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

Jack: This episode is medium so we’re looking at football words and phrases you need to describe what’s happening on the pitch or words and phrases fans and commentators on TV might use. There will be lots of phrasal verbs to learn at this level.


Rich: The phrase we are looking at in this episode is transfer rumour.

Jack: Let’s start by breaking down this phrase into its two words. Let’s start with the word transfer.

Rich: Transfer has a number of meanings but most of them are connected to moving things from one place to another.

Jack: You might ask for a transfer at work which involves moving from one department to another or even moving from one city to another.

Rich: A data transfer involves moving information from one place to another. This is often done digitally - transferring data from one computer to another.

Jack: When you go on holiday we sometimes hear the phrase airport transfer. An airport transfer is usually a bus or a car that moves travellers from the airport to their hotel.

Rich: In football, a transfer is the movement of a player from one club to another. 

Jack: There are a few useful football phrases here. We talk about the transfer fee which is the cost of the player, a free transfer which is a player that moves without a fee, the transfer window which is when transfers are allowed to be made and the transfer list which is where clubs place unwanted players they want to sell.


Rich: The phrase we’re looking at is transfer rumour so let’s look at the second word: rumour.

Jack: A rumour is some information or a story that might or might not be true.

Rich: Rumours are bits of information that are not official and they often move from person to person very quickly. 

Jack: We talk about spreading rumours. People might spread rumours about other people. Rumours can often be malicious which means that they are intended to cause harm or hurt someone’s feelings.

Rich: People might spread malicious rumours about a person they don’t like or because they feel they’ve been wronged in some way.

Jack: But rumours can be less malicious, too. Rumours are often connected to gossip which might not necessarily be meant to be harmful. Gossip is informal chat about other people that may or may not be true.

Rich: We might say things like I’ve heard a rumour that Steve is moving house or I’ve heard a rumour that Debbie is going to get the promotion.


Jack: A transfer rumour, therefore, is a bit of unofficial information about the possibility of a player moving from one club to another.

Rich: These types of rumours are not usually malicious and is just gossip more than anything.

Jack: We usually find lots of transfer rumours and football gossip in sports pages in the summer when there is no football being played.

Rich: One transfer rumour that I’ve heard is that Messi, Neymar and Mbappe are signing for Liverpool this summer.

Jack: That’s not true.

Rich: No, I just made it up. We don’t need them anyway. 

Jack: A transfer rumour. Unofficial information that spreads very quickly about a footballer moving clubs.


Rich: There is the final whistle!

Jack: We’ll be back soon with more Premier Vocabulary from Premier Skills English.

Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football. 

Discuss

  • Have you heard any transfer rumours recently?

Write your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

KareemZain
09/08/2023
EG
383
points

Yes, I have heard a transfer rumour that Mbappe will sign for Liverpool or Real Madrid.


KareemZain
09/08/2023 16:23
Egypt
Manchester City
383

Yes, I have heard a transfer rumour that Mbappe will sign for Liverpool or Real Madrid.

Michaelsun
21/02/2022
CN
738
points

I heard Mbappy will sign for Liverpool next season.


Michaelsun
21/02/2022 12:35
China
Manchester United
738

I heard Mbappy will sign for Liverpool next season.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
13/05/2021
BR
1512
points

Yes, I did. Actually I think the world did!
Lionel Messi's contract with Barcelona is going to have an end, and every club of the world must keep an eye (or two!) at it. I've heard thta Man City is one of the favourites to sign him.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
13/05/2021 15:34
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

Yes, I did. Actually I think the world did!
Lionel Messi's contract with Barcelona is going to have an end, and every club of the world must keep an eye (or two!) at it. I've heard thta Man City is one of the favourites to sign him.

hsn's picture
hsn
01/12/2020
TR
5557
points

It has been said that, Messi made a “verbal agreement” with Guardiola and he is coming to Manchester City next season.

Every year before transfer window, "yellow press" spreads rumours that many of the football stars will be transferred to our country teams. Its sources are gossip and not malicious The aim is to rise newspaper sales. In Turkish we call this kind of rumour “To fly balloon”

P.S.
• Sometimes false transfer could finish football career of the player. There are a lot of examples in this field. So the players shoudn't care about money.

• In finance sector “transfer” word is used to describe sending money. For instance; Bank transferred one hundred pound yesterday.


hsn's picture
hsn
01/12/2020 17:29
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5557

It has been said that, Messi made a “verbal agreement” with Guardiola and he is coming to Manchester City next season.

Every year before transfer window, "yellow press" spreads rumours that many of the football stars will be transferred to our country teams. Its sources are gossip and not malicious The aim is to rise newspaper sales. In Turkish we call this kind of rumour “To fly balloon”

P.S.
• Sometimes false transfer could finish football career of the player. There are a lot of examples in this field. So the players shoudn't care about money.

• In finance sector “transfer” word is used to describe sending money. For instance; Bank transferred one hundred pound yesterday.

Fjchaves1991
03/08/2020
BR
185
points

There's a rumor about Messi transfer to Inter Milan. Cristiano Ronaldo is afraid.


Fjchaves1991
03/08/2020 16:48
Brazil
Manchester City
185

There's a rumor about Messi transfer to Inter Milan. Cristiano Ronaldo is afraid.

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020
AR
5086
points

In the picture Juan Sebastián Verón appears, his nickname is the little witch because his father is the Witch Verón, he was also a great player and defined with his goal the 1968 Intercontinental Final against Manchester United. I don't know if Red Devils fans knew this about Veron's father.


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020 05:31
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

In the picture Juan Sebastián Verón appears, his nickname is the little witch because his father is the Witch Verón, he was also a great player and defined with his goal the 1968 Intercontinental Final against Manchester United. I don't know if Red Devils fans knew this about Veron's father.

Rich's picture
Rich
03/08/2020
ES
594
points

And his Uncle played for Sheffield United! A footballing family! 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/mar/02/football.features1


Rich's picture
Rich
03/08/2020 08:09
Spain
Liverpool
594

And his Uncle played for Sheffield United! A footballing family! 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/mar/02/football.features1

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020
AR
5086
points

I like to read The Guardian because I understand the news more, maybe because they don't use idioms.
What newspapers would you recommend to foreign readers who are learning English and want to read news?
Cheers!


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020 12:54
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

I like to read The Guardian because I understand the news more, maybe because they don't use idioms.
What newspapers would you recommend to foreign readers who are learning English and want to read news?
Cheers!

Rich's picture
Rich
03/08/2020
ES
594
points

I read the football section on the Guardian, too. I think it's really good and there are some nice articles that go a lot further than just match reports. I usually get my general transfer gossip from the BBC football website. I would recommend The Athletic for more detailed articles (you have to pay for the app but you can get a free trial).


Rich's picture
Rich
03/08/2020 15:44
Spain
Liverpool
594

I read the football section on the Guardian, too. I think it's really good and there are some nice articles that go a lot further than just match reports. I usually get my general transfer gossip from the BBC football website. I would recommend The Athletic for more detailed articles (you have to pay for the app but you can get a free trial).

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020
AR
5086
points

Thank you very much Rich.


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020 22:08
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

Thank you very much Rich.

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020
AR
5086
points

Hi Rich, you surprised me, I didn't know that about Veron's uncle. I am going to tell my friends and they will also be surprised because Pedro Verde was not a famous player here but his career was brilliant.


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020 12:40
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

Hi Rich, you surprised me, I didn't know that about Veron's uncle. I am going to tell my friends and they will also be surprised because Pedro Verde was not a famous player here but his career was brilliant.

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020
AR
5086
points

I have heard that a prince would buy Newcastle and pay a lot of money to hire Lionel Messi. This was published in sports newspapers in my country.


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/08/2020 05:15
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

I have heard that a prince would buy Newcastle and pay a lot of money to hire Lionel Messi. This was published in sports newspapers in my country.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2020
TR
6539
points

I heard some rumours from my old friends from my origin country , Egypt , that Mo Salah is set to leave Liverpool and his next destination is wherther Chelsea or Atletico Madrid but I think it's just rumours especially when his best friend , Lovern , left the team last week to sign for Zenit St. Petersburg so the bromance between both of them has come to an end.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2020 11:10
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I heard some rumours from my old friends from my origin country , Egypt , that Mo Salah is set to leave Liverpool and his next destination is wherther Chelsea or Atletico Madrid but I think it's just rumours especially when his best friend , Lovern , left the team last week to sign for Zenit St. Petersburg so the bromance between both of them has come to an end.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
29/09/2020
UA
6574
points

Salah feels, I think, quite comfortable in the club.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
29/09/2020 21:36
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

Salah feels, I think, quite comfortable in the club.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2020
TR
6539
points

I've heard some recent rumours about Jadon Sancho joining our beloved club and there are some talks about Jack Grealish as well.
I hope we can complete those deals in a couple of weeks plus a decent defender like Kalidou Koulibaly for instance so we can be a title contender in the next season.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2020 11:06
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I've heard some recent rumours about Jadon Sancho joining our beloved club and there are some talks about Jack Grealish as well.
I hope we can complete those deals in a couple of weeks plus a decent defender like Kalidou Koulibaly for instance so we can be a title contender in the next season.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
30/07/2020
UA
6574
points

(continued) ... transfer optical sight of Manchester United staff. I'd like Jadon to join Liverpool instead.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
30/07/2020 05:03
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

(continued) ... transfer optical sight of Manchester United staff. I'd like Jadon to join Liverpool instead.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
30/07/2020
UA
6574
points

I've heard it through the grapevine that Jadon Sancho is under the


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
30/07/2020 05:00
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

I've heard it through the grapevine that Jadon Sancho is under the

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
30/07/2020
UA
6574
points

I want to send a big hug to all the team of the PSE and the BC and congratulate them on the end of the season; especially a lot of thanks to Laura, Rowan, Jack and Rich! Your work was very productive and instructive : we learned loads of new information about football, English, and the world. Keep doing informative, humorous and friendly podcasts and stay safe on the alert in times of virus complications. Let your teams always show the character, perseverance and strong will. I also express a friendly gratitude to all the participants of the site : let your comments always be as relevant and interesting as they usually are. 

Alexander from Ukraine


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
30/07/2020 04:22
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

I want to send a big hug to all the team of the PSE and the BC and congratulate them on the end of the season; especially a lot of thanks to Laura, Rowan, Jack and Rich! Your work was very productive and instructive : we learned loads of new information about football, English, and the world. Keep doing informative, humorous and friendly podcasts and stay safe on the alert in times of virus complications. Let your teams always show the character, perseverance and strong will. I also express a friendly gratitude to all the participants of the site : let your comments always be as relevant and interesting as they usually are. 

Alexander from Ukraine

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2020
TR
6539
points

I add my voice to yours dear friend , Alex , as I believe we are all enjoying the content of these effective and amazing episodes whether they are one word at a time , this week or the weekly podcast. Your effort is highly appreciated dear teachers and friends.

Muhammad from Turkey


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2020 11:03
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I add my voice to yours dear friend , Alex , as I believe we are all enjoying the content of these effective and amazing episodes whether they are one word at a time , this week or the weekly podcast. Your effort is highly appreciated dear teachers and friends.

Muhammad from Turkey

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
04/08/2020
UA
6574
points

A good comment from a good person: your comments are always welcome and interesting, Muhammad, they give me a constant reason to fight for the leadership here. By the way, I need some Turkish for my future travels (my son was in Turkey a lot of times - he's a hitch-hiker with 45 countries visited; I've never been there, alas), could you help me with this.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
04/08/2020 07:10
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

A good comment from a good person: your comments are always welcome and interesting, Muhammad, they give me a constant reason to fight for the leadership here. By the way, I need some Turkish for my future travels (my son was in Turkey a lot of times - he's a hitch-hiker with 45 countries visited; I've never been there, alas), could you help me with this.

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