Ezequiel Lavezzi linked to Spurs because no one knows what 'out of favor' means

We couldn't even make it to November without silly transfer rumors. We bring you the first post-window closing edition of Dispatches from #Batcountry, today featuring Ezequiel Lavezzi and the publication Metro. If you're unfamiliar with this series, we write about transfer rumors that, for one reason or another, seem to be ridiculous.

Here's Metro's story on Tottenham Hotspur's supposed interest in Lavezzi, with the following sub-headline:

Tottenham are eyeing up a January move for out-of-favour PSG forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Wait. Out of favor? Sure, he's not one of their biggest names anymore, now that Edinson Cavani has arrived, but out of favor? Doesn't that generally imply that a player is not actually playing very often?

Lavezzi has started in six of PSG's nine Ligue 1 games and has made a substitute appearance in two others. He's also started one Champions League match and was subbed in during another. He's also been the first option off the bench in all of his substitute appearances, entering before the 60th minute mark.

Of course, Metro have no quotes from the player, his agent, anyone at Spurs or anyone at PSG. They don't even have an anonymous source close to the player or Tottenham stating Lavezzi's interest to exit or Tottenham's interest in purchasing him. For all we know, this story was pulled out of thin air, and the statement that he's 'out of favor' is demonstrably false.

That's not to say that Lavezzi won't fall out of favor, because that possibility always exists at a club with the depth and money of PSG, but he's very much in favor right now. He's playing a lot and the club have no reason to sell him.