I don't think anyone is suggesting that Adam Blackmore (or anyone else in his position) would know if a sale is imminent or not. The only reason I name-checked him is that he's said that this is 'busness as usual' and therefore 'nothing to see here folks'. He may well be right of course, however, I'm wondering why he's seemingly turning a blind eye to the differences that exist in the annual charging process compared to previous years and/or why he's concluded that these difference are of no consequence. As you say, he's not close enough to the decision making people to be able to make this 'nothing to see here' deduction, is he?