On the hunt for the transfer scoop: football supporters as detectives

Xavi Simons has not been presented for 24 hours or many supporters are already checking with his followers whether there are any transfer acquisitions. It’s something that happens more and more on Twitter and supporter forums. Chris WM, NAC supporter, came into the world by accident.

“In 2019 I knew that NAC had to get a goalkeeper. Then out of nowhere I saw that Nick Olij was going to follow the club account. I shared that on Twitter. It’s wonderful that he eventually becomes it.”

Rik Klein Entink is one of the people behind the forum nineteen-thirteen.nl† On that forum, PSV supporters discuss possible acquisitions and every hint is unraveled. A house specialty is tracking private planes. “That started about two years ago. Then we discovered a private jet that eventually had Ibrahim Sangaré in it.”

On Tuesday it was hit again at PSV. A photo of Xavi Simons together with team manager Bas Roorda went around. He was presented a few hours later. According to Rik, it is no longer a coincidence. “PSV supporters are everywhere. There is always someone at the NH Hotel or near the stadium. We grab every rumor.”

For Chris it has become part of his life. “Especially in the transfer periods it keeps me busy. It’s especially nice if you happen to have a name right. It just became my hobby.”

Both men try to get ahead of the club and the media, but admit that it often doesn’t work out. “We are more often wrong than right,” says Rik. “But those times when we get it right are the best of the best.”

Both gentlemen also have their favorite Transferjosti, a term used when a supporter discovers a transfer.

“My favorite is actually a transfer that didn’t go through,” Chris says. “I knew that NAC wanted to get a Scandinavian midfielder. Then I happened to follow three players on Instagram. One of them suddenly drove on the highway in the direction of Breda. He has even been to the stadium. But in the end NAC couldn’t get him.”

Rik has to think about the transfer of Zahavi. “We saw him get on a plane in Tel Aviv. We then followed that flight until it landed in Eindhoven.”

Do the gentlemen at home have no problems with their hobby that has gotten out of hand? “I’m just as happy to take pictures in nature” says Rik. It’s a little different with Chris. “My wife sometimes says: Are you working on NAC again? Fortunately, after September 1, I’ll be calm again,” he says with a wink.