Few imaginary orifices need feeding quite like the transfer window. Rumours, possible deals, flat out inventions and the occasional genuine piece of business, name after name is thrown through the window until at the end of August, a few people play for different football clubs.

Among the chaos of the market the word “collapsed” occasionally appears. You would have though that with so much hysteria and hyperventilation in the reporting of the “window” a few more people might require the attention of the emergency services, but here it refers to those deals which suddenly and mysteriously turn to dust.

One such was Jamie Vardy’s supposed move to Arsenal last year. (The Peacock makes no apologies for being a year late – gossip has no sell-by date.)

The deal seemed so far advanced that all was required was for Arsenal to brandish their credit card and decide if they wanted him in a bag or not.

And then…it didn’t happen. An attack of loyalty by the Premier League’s Player of the Season (2015-16) was given as the problem.

But could the truth have been otherwise?

The video above strokes its chin and says “Maybe.”