Football Soccer - Everton v Southampton - Barclays Premier League - Goodison Park - 16/4/16 A pitch invader approaches Leon Osman before being escorted off Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Mark Warburton is considering his most desperate ever move- signing Leon Osman.
The 35-year-old England star, he has twice as many caps as Joey Barton, hasn’t kicked a ball since May and recently described himself as semi retired.
According to a report in The Sun Warbo is lining up a swoop for the midfielder who has been described by some shrewd judges as a younger version of John Eustace.
Osman started two Premier League matches last season and appeared as a substitute in a further seven.
Speaking in November about his situation on Sky Sports Goals on Sunday he said: “If someone called me tomorrow and said ‘Come and play for us’ I’d have to consider it, but at the minute I’m not actively looking for a club.
“Do you call that retired? I spoke to a couple of clubs, but things didn’t quite match up, didn’t quite work out and I wasn’t prepared to move my family at this stage of my career.”
With Dave King refusing to approve any more transfer fees and clubs refusing to give Warbo any players on loan it seems that the former city trader has been reduced to trying to bring players out of retirement.
Osman’s family are very settled in the north west of England after 16 years at Everton and unlikely to be interested in a five month deal to provide cover for Andy Halliday and Jason Holt
The former Everton favourite is likely to be flattered by the interest, hugely impressed by Warbo but turn down the dream move due to family reasons.
In 2013 he made his competitive debut for England in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino.
