Watford's audacious rental scheme that rewrote English football's rules
Watford's acquisition in June 2012 resembled a covert operation executed under time pressure. The previous owner, Laurence Bassini, was mired in debt and found guilty of financial misconduct. When Giampaolo Pozzo and his son Gino sealed the deal, mere weeks remained before the transfer window slammed shut, leaving no room for meticulous planning.