There are some transfer rumours that are likely to stir the blood of football fans, with the prospect of seeing a major international star pulling on the colours of your favourite club.
But there are others that are guaranteed to incense a fan base, and tempt that to grab a pitchfork and head to that same club so it can be applied to the rear end of whoever thought of the idea in the first place.
That must be the reaction that thousands of Arsenal fans had when they woke up to the news that they were being linked with Cristian Romero.
Somewhere inside the Arsenal recruitment structure, someone has apparently looked at Tottenham’s Argentine defender and thought: “Yes, that is exactly the personality profile we need.”
This is the same Cristian Romero who has built a reputation as one of football’s most aggressive defenders. A player who operates with the sort of intensity that occasionally appears to have left the decision-making department of his brain several seconds behind the rest of his body.
Now, nobody can deny Romero’s ability. He is a World Cup winner, an experienced international defender and a player who brings physicality, aggression and character. Those qualities are valuable.
But Arsenal supporters have spent years demanding composure, intelligence and defensive discipline. They have watched their own players criticised for rash challenges and unnecessary moments of chaos.
And now they are being asked to imagine welcoming the king of unnecessary chaos from their greatest rivals?
Then there is the small matter of his disciplinary record. Having spent years being chastised for the number of cards they pick up, Arsenal went through the whole of last season without a red card, and the only penalty they conceded was in the Champions League final.
Romero is the human equivalent of a warning sign. He is a walking red card, a player who makes every referee reach for their pocket slightly faster than usual. Arsenal would not just be signing a centre-half; they would be signing a weekly appointment with VAR.
Fortunately Spurs at least are likely to see sense and not allow Romero to make the short journey across North London.
But if anybody at the Gunners – especially manager Mikel Arteta or Sporting Director Andrea Berta – thought it was a good idea in the first place, they need to book an appointment to see a psychiatrist as a matter of urgency!
