1) Steven Gerrard: Liverpool to Chelsea
Although fast encroaching on the untouchable Kenny Dalglish, Gerrard wasn’t always the faithful Scouse hero. The Liverpool legend twice flirted with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. On the second occasion it appeared Abramovich’s rupees might finally have their say, only for Gerrard to have a change of heart. Effigies were burnt and the customary death threats ensued, all putting pay to an intriguing Gerrard-Lampard club partnership.
Although fast encroaching on the untouchable Kenny Dalglish, Gerrard wasn’t always the faithful Scouse hero. The Liverpool legend twice flirted with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. On the second occasion it appeared Abramovich’s rupees might finally have their say, only for Gerrard to have a change of heart. Effigies were burnt and the customary death threats ensued, all putting pay to an intriguing Gerrard-Lampard club partnership.
2) Ronaldinho: Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United
With the sale of David Beckham concluded Alex Ferguson was confident he had secured the services of the wonderful but yet fulfilled talents of the mercurial Brazilian. At the time he was best remembered for his wicked cross which dipped menacingly over a despairing David Seaman at the 2002 World Cup. More YouTube compilation than finished article, Ferguson was confident he had persuaded Ronaldinho to join, only for Barcelona to swoop in at the last minute. Not only had they trumped Madrid’s big summer move, they had signed the future double World Player of the year.
With the sale of David Beckham concluded Alex Ferguson was confident he had secured the services of the wonderful but yet fulfilled talents of the mercurial Brazilian. At the time he was best remembered for his wicked cross which dipped menacingly over a despairing David Seaman at the 2002 World Cup. More YouTube compilation than finished article, Ferguson was confident he had persuaded Ronaldinho to join, only for Barcelona to swoop in at the last minute. Not only had they trumped Madrid’s big summer move, they had signed the future double World Player of the year.
3) Paul Gascoigne: Newcastle to Manchester United
Voted Young Player of the Year in 1987-88 Alex Ferguson was so impressed by the jowly Geordie, that he instructed Martin Edwards to sign him whatever the cost. Gascoigne, also mulling over an offer from Spurs, assured Ferguson he would be signing for the Red Devils. Ferguson subsequently afforded himself a well earned holiday in Malta, during which he was informed that Gazza had done a dramatic u-turn and signed for Tottenham instead. Both parties have since admitted their disappointed that a deal was never done, with Gazza suggesting in his autobiography that maybe Ferguson could have been the man to curb his off pitch thirst for life.
Voted Young Player of the Year in 1987-88 Alex Ferguson was so impressed by the jowly Geordie, that he instructed Martin Edwards to sign him whatever the cost. Gascoigne, also mulling over an offer from Spurs, assured Ferguson he would be signing for the Red Devils. Ferguson subsequently afforded himself a well earned holiday in Malta, during which he was informed that Gazza had done a dramatic u-turn and signed for Tottenham instead. Both parties have since admitted their disappointed that a deal was never done, with Gazza suggesting in his autobiography that maybe Ferguson could have been the man to curb his off pitch thirst for life.
4) Roy Keane: Nottingham Forrest to Blackburn Rovers
Future United captain and midfield general, Keane had initially agreed to join Jack Walker’s revolution at Blackburn Rovers. Despite personally assuring Kenny Dalglish that he would sign, a phone call from Alex Ferguson three weeks after the deal had been concluded persuaded Keane to join United instead.
Future United captain and midfield general, Keane had initially agreed to join Jack Walker’s revolution at Blackburn Rovers. Despite personally assuring Kenny Dalglish that he would sign, a phone call from Alex Ferguson three weeks after the deal had been concluded persuaded Keane to join United instead.
5) Alan Shearer: Blackburn Rovers to Manchester United
Alex Ferguson was a known admirer of Alan Shearer’s during his days at Southampton, so when it emerged Blackburn would be willing to sell their priced asset Manchester United showed their hand. Instead, Shearer let his heart rule his head and signed for his boyhood club Newcastle United, thus missing out on a multiple trophy haul.
Alex Ferguson was a known admirer of Alan Shearer’s during his days at Southampton, so when it emerged Blackburn would be willing to sell their priced asset Manchester United showed their hand. Instead, Shearer let his heart rule his head and signed for his boyhood club Newcastle United, thus missing out on a multiple trophy haul.
6) Gareth Barry: Aston Villa to Liverpool
Rafa Benitez was eager to pair the improving Gareth Barry with Steven Gerrard, only for Martin O’Neill and Aston Villa to play hardball. Despite tabling offers in excess of £17 million, Villa stood firm and held onto an exasperated Barry. Rumour has since emerged that a power struggle between Parry and Benitez scuppered an increased offer for a man Benitez saw as integral cog in their pursuit of Premier League. Instead of Barry, Benitez was rewarded with the ill-effective Robbie Keane.
Rafa Benitez was eager to pair the improving Gareth Barry with Steven Gerrard, only for Martin O’Neill and Aston Villa to play hardball. Despite tabling offers in excess of £17 million, Villa stood firm and held onto an exasperated Barry. Rumour has since emerged that a power struggle between Parry and Benitez scuppered an increased offer for a man Benitez saw as integral cog in their pursuit of Premier League. Instead of Barry, Benitez was rewarded with the ill-effective Robbie Keane.
7) Ronaldo: Manchester United to Real Madrid
Real Madrid began a very public pursuit of one of the most coveted players in the world. Although Ronaldo’s ill-advised head was turned, Manchester United refuted all of Madrid’s overtures. Ferguson responded to Madrid’s bold chase by saying “I wouldn’t sell them a virus”, but watch this space carefully as presidential elections loom large at the Bernabeu; expect this one to rumble on.
Real Madrid began a very public pursuit of one of the most coveted players in the world. Although Ronaldo’s ill-advised head was turned, Manchester United refuted all of Madrid’s overtures. Ferguson responded to Madrid’s bold chase by saying “I wouldn’t sell them a virus”, but watch this space carefully as presidential elections loom large at the Bernabeu; expect this one to rumble on.
8) Robinho: Real Madrid to Chelsea
Chelsea were so sure they had signed their man, the club shop began printing Robinho shirts. Little did they know an unknown Arab multibillionaire was in the process of buying City and assembling a war chest ready to belittle even Chelsea’s millions. Within 24 hours, City had gazumped Chelsea’s offer, and the little Brazilian was flying into Manchester to agree terms.
9) Alfredo di Stefano: Milonarios to Barcelona
The greatest player in Real Madrid’s history and one of the best of all time, Di Stefano very nearly re-wrote football folklore by joining Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona. Confusion over the player’s ownership and some rather underhand negotiation tactics by the Catalan giants let Real Madrid into proceedings with his Columbian club Milonarios (he had left Argentina after a player’s strike). Once in Spain, Madrid stole a march in the transfer pursuit and eventually signed their man from under the noses of Barcelona.
The greatest player in Real Madrid’s history and one of the best of all time, Di Stefano very nearly re-wrote football folklore by joining Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona. Confusion over the player’s ownership and some rather underhand negotiation tactics by the Catalan giants let Real Madrid into proceedings with his Columbian club Milonarios (he had left Argentina after a player’s strike). Once in Spain, Madrid stole a march in the transfer pursuit and eventually signed their man from under the noses of Barcelona.
10) Kaka: AC Milan to Manchester City
On the books at AC Milan but belonging to God, Kaka was the subject of one of the most highly publicised transfer sagas during a busy January window. Defying the economic meltdown, City’s new owners were keen to show their intent to a bewildered Premier League. The money being mentioned topped a rumoured £120 million, yet the deciding factor fell to the player himself who unsurprisingly decided to remain with the likes of David Beckham and Ronaldinho rather than join the ranks of Darius Vassell and Danny Mills.
On the books at AC Milan but belonging to God, Kaka was the subject of one of the most highly publicised transfer sagas during a busy January window. Defying the economic meltdown, City’s new owners were keen to show their intent to a bewildered Premier League. The money being mentioned topped a rumoured £120 million, yet the deciding factor fell to the player himself who unsurprisingly decided to remain with the likes of David Beckham and Ronaldinho rather than join the ranks of Darius Vassell and Danny Mills.
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