One man alone had the inside track on mounting rumours earlier in the week that the FT might be sold.

Here is Media Guardian’s eminent and well-informed Roy Greenslade on Monday:

“Pearson to sell the Financial Times? I really don’t think so… How many times down the years have I read that rumour? And how many times must I dismiss it as speculative nonsense?”

Three days later…

Statement from Pearson: confirmed "advanced discussions" regarding sale of Financial Times pic.twitter.com/eCdtJUR2QA

— Andrew Clark (@clarkaw) July 23, 2015

There’s a fine line between being contrarian and printing b***ocks.