However, none could ever compete with these failed signings...
12. Robert Lewandowski to Blackburn Rovers
Before
becoming one of Europe’s best strikers, Robert Lewandowski was pursued
by Blackburn in 2010. The then 21-year-old Lech Poznan hitman was
subject to a £4m bid from the Lancashire club and was set to travel to
Blackburn for negotiations.
However, a volcanic ash cloud in Iceland prevented his flight from taking place and the move fell through. Blackburn can blame Mother Nature for that one and Rovers will cry themselves to sleep when thinking of the Pole in the blue and white shirt of their beloved club.
However, a volcanic ash cloud in Iceland prevented his flight from taking place and the move fell through. Blackburn can blame Mother Nature for that one and Rovers will cry themselves to sleep when thinking of the Pole in the blue and white shirt of their beloved club.
11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Arsenal
The man, the myth and the legend that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. This is a
player who has always lived and played on his own terms and at the age
of 16, the Swede was invited to Arsenal to check out the first team,
facilities and was even given a shirt number.
But when Arsene Wenger asked if he would undertake a trial, Ibrahimovic replied, in legendary fashion: “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions”. The Swede would move to Ajax from where he would embark on a hihgly successful career in most of the top Europan leagues.
But when Arsene Wenger asked if he would undertake a trial, Ibrahimovic replied, in legendary fashion: “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions”. The Swede would move to Ajax from where he would embark on a hihgly successful career in most of the top Europan leagues.
10. Robinho to Chelsea
Robinho was so close to signing for the Blues in 2008 that Chelsea had
advertised shirts with his name on the back on their website. As we all
know, the Brazilian forward signed for Manchester City, who offered him
an even bigger contract, with Chelsea left to embarrassingly update
their website.
The idea of Robinho combining with the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack would have had the Chelsea faithful licking their lips, but in the end the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star was not such a big success in the Premier League
The idea of Robinho combining with the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack would have had the Chelsea faithful licking their lips, but in the end the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star was not such a big success in the Premier League
9. Paul Gascoigne to Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that his biggest ever regret was not
signing Paul Gascoigne in 1988. The then 21-year-old had been wowing
audiences the season before and was subject to a bidding war between
Ferguson’s Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
It seemed that United had the advantage with Gazza close to joining, but when Spurs bought his parents a house they also sealed Gascoigne’s signature. Lessons learned then Fergie. Houses buy players.
It seemed that United had the advantage with Gazza close to joining, but when Spurs bought his parents a house they also sealed Gascoigne’s signature. Lessons learned then Fergie. Houses buy players.
8. Andriy Shevchenko to West Ham
Before
being labelled a £30m flop during his time at Chelsea, Andriy
Shevchenko was one of the world’s deadliest forwards, but in 1995 the
Ukrainian had the opportunity to join Premier League side West Ham.
Why it didn’t happen is best explained by then Hammers manager, Harry Redknapp: "I was at West Ham and Frank Lampard Snr and I were approached by these two villains who said they were doing some business in the Ukraine, and we were so scared of them we agreed to have a look at a couple of these kids.
"One of them played against Barnet Reserves and he scored the winner. They said they wanted a million quid for him, and Frank said it was too much - well I’m blaming Frank - and we let him go. His name was Andriy Shevchenko!"
Why it didn’t happen is best explained by then Hammers manager, Harry Redknapp: "I was at West Ham and Frank Lampard Snr and I were approached by these two villains who said they were doing some business in the Ukraine, and we were so scared of them we agreed to have a look at a couple of these kids.
"One of them played against Barnet Reserves and he scored the winner. They said they wanted a million quid for him, and Frank said it was too much - well I’m blaming Frank - and we let him go. His name was Andriy Shevchenko!"
7. Cristiano Ronaldo to Arsenal
If Arsene Wenger has any regrets about his tenure at Arsenal, surely
missing out on one of the best footballers on the planet back in 2003 is
one of them. Then, 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo was a fresh-faced
youngster from Sporting Lisbon who was invited to train with Arsenal and
was so close to joining the Gunners that he had been given the No. 9
shirt.
But the move fell through and Wenger admitted in 2008 that it was down to Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon failing to agree a fee. The Frenchman thus missed out on a player whose evolution saw him move to Manchester United, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record fee of £80m.
But the move fell through and Wenger admitted in 2008 that it was down to Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon failing to agree a fee. The Frenchman thus missed out on a player whose evolution saw him move to Manchester United, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record fee of £80m.
6. Steven Gerrard to Chelsea
Another almost signing for Abramovich's Chelsea, with this time the
subject being Steven Gerrard. On two occasions Chelsea enquired over the
availability of Liverpool's captain, with Gerrard formally handing in a
transfer request in 2005.
However, the midfielder quickly had a change of heart and confirmed his loyalty to the Merseyside club. As attractive as a Lampard-Gerrard partnership sounded for the Blues, evidence from the national side shows it doesn't work.
However, the midfielder quickly had a change of heart and confirmed his loyalty to the Merseyside club. As attractive as a Lampard-Gerrard partnership sounded for the Blues, evidence from the national side shows it doesn't work.
5. Eric Cantona to Sheffield Wednesday
Trevor Francis is probably still kicking himself over this debacle. In
1991, the Sheffield Wednesday boss had managed to secure talented
Frenchman Eric Cantona for a trial with the Owls.
Bad weather had prevented Cantona to play outdoors, but Francis was still not convinced by the forward’s ability and asked him to stay on trial for another week to play on grass.
Cantona refused and later signed for Leeds, before joining Manchester United and electrifying the Premier League in its early years, winning four titles.
Bad weather had prevented Cantona to play outdoors, but Francis was still not convinced by the forward’s ability and asked him to stay on trial for another week to play on grass.
Cantona refused and later signed for Leeds, before joining Manchester United and electrifying the Premier League in its early years, winning four titles.
4. Rivaldo to Bolton Wanderers
Back in the early to mid-2000s Bolton Wanderers were a successful
Premier League club in its own right, competing in the UEFA Cup and able
to attract legends such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff and Fernando
Hierro.
But they almost pulled off the impossible in 2004 when they came close to signing former Barcelona and AC Milan forward Rivaldo. The World Cup winner then said of Bolton: "I want the challenge of trying to get Bolton into Europe for the first time in their history. It is an exciting time." But, in a change of heart, the Ballon d'Or winner chose to sign for Greek side Olympiakos instead.
But they almost pulled off the impossible in 2004 when they came close to signing former Barcelona and AC Milan forward Rivaldo. The World Cup winner then said of Bolton: "I want the challenge of trying to get Bolton into Europe for the first time in their history. It is an exciting time." But, in a change of heart, the Ballon d'Or winner chose to sign for Greek side Olympiakos instead.
3. Zinedine Zidane to Blackburn Rovers
Coming into the ridiculous "what ifs" category now, when in 1994, an
up-and-coming Zinedine Zidane was earmarked by Blackburn Rovers boss
Kenny Dalglish as the man to spearhead Rovers' defence of their Premier
League title.
In what will go down as one of the biggest mistakes in English football's history, Blackburn owner, Jack Walker, quickly replied to his manager's request with "what do you need him for, we've got Tim Sherwood"!!!
In what will go down as one of the biggest mistakes in English football's history, Blackburn owner, Jack Walker, quickly replied to his manager's request with "what do you need him for, we've got Tim Sherwood"!!!
2. Johan Cryuff to Leicester City
Albeit Cryuff was in the twilight of his career, the Dutch maestro
hadn't lost his footballing genius whilst playing in the States for the
Washington Diplomats, In 1982, at the age of 33, Cruyff was bored of
football over the Atlantic and wanted to return to competitive football
for a new challenge.
Leicester City had verbally agreed a deal with the World Cup legend before he decided to join second division Levante in Spain. Although he ultimately failed with the Spaniards, who knows what joy Cryuff could have brought to the Foxes.
Leicester City had verbally agreed a deal with the World Cup legend before he decided to join second division Levante in Spain. Although he ultimately failed with the Spaniards, who knows what joy Cryuff could have brought to the Foxes.
1. Diego Maradona to Sheffield United
One of the first men to spot Maradona's talent outside of South America
was Sheffield United boss, Harry Haslam, in 1978. The Blades had agreed a
£400,000 fee with Maradona's club, Argentinos Juniors, for the player
but the Sheffield United board blocked the transfer as they thought he
wasn't worth it.
Surely, one of the biggest "what if's" in football history, who knows what damage Maradona could have done to teams visiting Bramall Lane. Instead, the Hand of God would become the bane of English supporters due to his antics in the 1986 World Cup.
Surely, one of the biggest "what if's" in football history, who knows what damage Maradona could have done to teams visiting Bramall Lane. Instead, the Hand of God would become the bane of English supporters due to his antics in the 1986 World Cup.
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