Five Huge Transfer Deals That Never Happened
There are 21 days still left for the transfer window to officially begin in England. However, the frenzy has already begun. Arsenal have managed to poach a player from the Bundesliga team of the year for free, Mbappe’s house is queued with all top class managers lining up with bouquets, Chocolate and limousines, Mourinho has started answering awkward questions on his star keeper’s future, and Liverpool have apologised publicly for tapping Saints’ defender.
Everton’s goalscoring beast has already declared that his future lies elsewhere, while Manchester City’s most decorated right back has quietly been let go and purchased yet another expensive midfielder to add to their jaw-dropping collection. This madness has been a regular pattern over the years and some of the transfer dealings in the past have led to weird, heartbreaking or downright hilarious conclusions. However, there were many sagas that dragged for ages without materialising. Here we look at five such gaffes, involving the Premier League teams.
Gonzalo Higuain to Arsenal
It’s hard to conclude which was higher – the number of folks who claimed to have seen a UFO or the number of folks who claimed to have spotted Higuain in Heathrow. Gonzalo Higuain, a then 25-year-old at the prime of his career was fed up of life on the bench at Real Madrid. And as soon as the window started, the press concluded that Higuain had finalised his move to Arsenal.
This started the frenzy, with everyday articles on how Higuain will line up in Arsenal, Higuain photo-shopped in red and white, several ‘Welcome to AFC’ videos on youtube, multiple tweets claiming to have seen the Argentine in Heathrow. In reality, Wenger, who was initially interested in Higuain, later switched his interest to Suarez and ended up signing neither.
What happened next?
Higuain was quick to move to Napoli that window, scored 71 goals in 104 appearances and his value doubled after 4 years when he made his switch to the old day. And four years since the saga, Arsenal are still waiting for a star striker to replace Robin Van Persie.
David De Gea to Real Madrid
A Spanish boy plying his trade in the Premier League, rising to become the most vital player of his team, an absolute fan favorite, wanting to return to his homeland, regularly tapped by players from his star studded would-be team mates – David De Gea’s saga was eerily similar to the Fabregas Saga. However, there was one minor issue that broke down his dream move – a broken fax machine.
Madrid hoped to sign De Gea on the cheap, taking advantage of his contract situation. However, Manchester United, who were fed up with other teams playing hardball at their transfer dealings, decided to return the favor to Madrid and slapped a huge transfer fee. Madrid did not budge and both the clubs were involved in an intense game of poker with no one ready to blink.
David De Gea
Finally, on the last day of the transfer window, Real Madrid budged and decided to match the transfer fee slapped on their prime target. However, the move did not happen as planned finally at the last hour, Man United informed Real Madrid that they did not receive the transfer papers on time because of a broken fax machine.
What happened next?
What followed were weeks of war of words between the two clubs accusing each other for the failed transfer. As childish as the excuse sounded, it turned out to be a masterstroke by United. De Gea went on to sign a new deal, became one of the highest paid keepers and continues to make many jaw-dropping saves.
Robinho to Chelsea
Robinho was in many ways the icon for Manchester City’s cash-laden new era. He was their first signing which made the big boys take notice and the club announced their ability to fight with the elite. And just like their first Premier League title, their first big money transfer was full of drama.
Robinho was a major target for Chelsea that season and his compatriot Scolari, the then manager of Chelsea, was hell bent on bringing the pint-sized striker to West London.
However, the transfer dealings between Chelsea and Madrid were rugged as Madrid weren’t happy to sell to another team playing in Champions League. The real nadir was reached when Chelsea mistakenly released official Robinho Chelsea shirts for sale.
This completely irked the Madrid management and the transfer talks were broken beyond repair. City made best of the situation and snatched the star Brazilian striker.
What happened next?
Robinho was not only the first big – money City signing but also first of the many big-money signings who failed to shine at the Etihad. His two years at City never really worked and he failed to make any significant contribution. He was then loaned to Santos and finally moved to AC Milan.
It is safe to say that the Brazilian did not live up to his initial hype and had a fleeting career. He is currently plying his trade at Atletico Miniero.
John Obi Mikel to Manchester United
A 19-year-old John Obi Mikel faced the press proudly in his new Manchester United tshirt. He quoted, “I am pleased to get the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world”. Morgan Anderson, the director of Lyn, the club that sold Mikel to United, claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson told him that Mikel would be the new Roy Keane. They also offered a contract even better than the one offered to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea quickly reacted and claimed they already had a deal in place. What followed were stories of kidnapping, telephone threats and horrible agent dealings. Finally when the dust cleared, 10 days later Mikel revealed that he had been pressured to sign for United and that he always wanted to play for Chelsea.
The bizarre twist was that Chelsea had to pay £4million to Lyn, and 3 times the price (£12million) to United to get Mikel’s service.
What happened next?
The ‘next Roy Keane’ didn’t quite live up to the hype, but he served for a decade in Chelsea colours. He was always considered a great team player but never quite lived up to the hype that his transfer saga augured. He now plies his trade in China.
Steven Gerrard to Chelsea
July 5 2005, the day when Steven Gerrard the Merseyside icon handed a transfer request to his boyhood club. Jose Mourinho’s consistent efforts to sign the Liverpool icon had his head turned and Jose’s persistence looked to finally pay dividends. Fans were shocked and anger filled the streets. Shirts bearing Gerrard’s name were burnt in front of TV cameras and the Liverpool faithful were close to an emotional breakdown.
Fans protested at Anfield and in Melwood training complex and Gerrard was confined to his home. The unimaginable almost happened that season, Gerrard donning the Chelsea blue. As Gerrard later revealed in his autobiography, he had serious questions on where the team was heading under the then Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier. Also he claims that temptations gave way and Jose made him feel wanted.
However, Liverpool reacted quickly and Rafa Benitez was signed to replace Houllier. Rafa managed to convince Gerrard to stay and the world did not witness the unthinkable.
What happened next?
Steven Gerrard became one of the club’s biggest legends and continued to play for almost a decade until he moved to MLS for a solitary year before hanging up his boots. Mourinho again tried to sign him during his time at Real Madrid but Gerrard wasn’t to be tempted again and stayed loyal to Liverpool.
His career at Liverpool was not trophy-laden and he never won the Premier League, with the Champions League final at Istanbul being his biggest achievement. However, he went on to become one of the club’s biggest icons and a poster boy for a decade. He has now returned to Liverpool as an academy coach.
Arsenal
Arsenal Face Brighton Test as Gunners Begin Title Pursuit Despite Ruiz’s Late Managerial Appointment Creating Tactical Uncertainty
Arsenal commence their 2026-27 Women’s Super League championship campaign at Broadfield Stadium confronting Brighton’s late managerial transition, establishing opening fixture complexity transcending merely competitive opponent engagement.
Renée Slegers’ settled pre-season preparation combined with her comprehensive summer recruitment establishes substantial tactical foundation supporting Arsenal’s championship pursuit, yet Arturo Ruiz’s Brighton appointment only days before the opener establishes genuine tactical uncertainty undermining predictive fixture assessment.
Match Information and How to Watch
Brighton vs Arsenal kicks off Sunday 6 September 2026 at 12:00pm BST from Broadfield Stadium. Sky Sports provides UK broadcast coverage with international viewers accessing the match through Barclays Women’s Super League YouTube channel.
Slegers’ settled preparation combined with Arsenal’s strengthened squad suggests comprehensive championship readiness, whilst Brighton’s managerial transition establishes unpredictability supporting their defensive resilience potential.
Arsenal’s Championship Squad Depth Addresses Tactical Complexity
Slegers’ described squad as “strongest” she has directed establishes credible championship foundation transcending merely competitive adequacy. Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle and Misa Rodríguez amongst Arsenal’s summer arrivals combined with existing institutional talent establishes attacking depth supporting varied tactical approaches addressing Brighton’s potential defensive resilience.
That depth combined with their previous Brighton fixture frustration suggests Arsenal recognise need for sustained patient attacking construction transcending pure dominance expectations.
Predicted Arsenal lineup: Rodríguez; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Batlle; Stanway, Little; Smith, Caldentey, Foord; Russo.
Wälti’s Arsenal Knowledge Provides Brighton Transitional Stability
Wälti’s seven-year Arsenal tenure combined with her Brighton appointment establishes meaningful institutional knowledge advantage supporting Ruiz’s implementation requirements. Her midfield presence alongside Emilie Joramo establishes experienced transitional partnership potentially disrupting Arsenal’s familiar midfield control patterns, validating Brighton’s unpredictability potential despite their managerial disruption.
Predicted Brighton lineup: Nnadozie; Auée, Minami, George, Vanegas; Wälti, Joramo; Seike, Kirby, Čanković; Haley.
Championship Establishment Requires Sustained Patient Offensive Construction
This fixture feels strategically important for Arsenal’s championship establishment. Rather than pursuing comfortable opening victory assumptions, Slegers acknowledges Brighton’s “stubborn” defensive resilience and Wälti’s quality threat suggesting appropriate championship mentality. That recognition combined with Arsenal’s comprehensive squad depth supports their eventual victory.
Brighton’s tactical uncertainty combined with their determined defensive tradition creates genuine fixture complexity. Arsenal’s attacking variety through Smith, Foord and Caldentey should overcome Brighton’s resistance, though patience will prove essential against Ruiz’s transitional defensive structure.
Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal
Emily Fox Commits Arsenal to Championship Treble Pursuit as USWNT Defender Targets Every Available Trophy Following Consecutive PFA Recognition
Emily Fox has articulated explicit championship ambition for Arsenal, establishing the club’s comprehensive trophy pursuit philosophy requiring unwavering commitment across all available competitions.
The United States Women’s National Team defender’s unequivocal assertion that elite institutions “have to go for all of them” combined with her consecutive PFA Team of the Year recognition establishes credible foundation supporting genuine championship aspirations rather than merely aspirational rhetoric.
Arsenal’s narrow previous season defeat through draw accumulation combined with their Charlton Athletic 5-1 demolition establishes encouraging competitive foundation suggesting tactical sharpness supporting their championship objectives.
Fox’s immediate second-half impact despite not starting validates her elite status transcending purely starting lineup consideration, suggesting her availability provides meaningful tactical flexibility supporting Arsenal’s demanding fixture schedule throughout their multi-competition campaign.
Elite One-Versus-One Defending Provides Championship Foundation
Fox’s characterisation as elite one-versus-one defender combined with her ability to “surge relentlessly down the right flank” establishes complete attacking and defensive profile meriting championship-level confidence.
Her PFA recognition reflecting her dual-faceted influence across both ends of the pitch validates her significance extending beyond purely defensive responsibility, indicating genuine elite performer capable of meaningful attacking contribution supporting Arsenal’s creative requirements.
That comprehensive capability combined with her demonstrated consistency establishes credible foundation supporting Arsenal’s multi-trophy pursuit.
Draw Accumulation Represents Championship Addressable Challenge
Arsenal’s previous season single loss contrasted against their six-draw accumulation establishes quantifiable competitive adjustment requirement rather than fundamental capability deficiency. That marginal defeat suggested by draw patterns rather than defensive collapses indicates realistic trophy pursuit achievability through continued tactical consistency and draw-conversion improvement rather than requiring wholesale squad reconstruction.
This statement feels strategically important for Arsenal’s competitive trajectory. Rather than pursuing conservative single-trophy focus, Fox and Arsenal establish ambitious championship mentality demanding elite performance consistency across all available competitions. Her championship commitment combined with her demonstrated elite capability positions Arsenal favorably for sustained trophy pursuit throughout their anticipated season.
Arsenal
New UEFA Regulation Blocks Arsenal From Away Fixture Against Slavia Prague as Champions League Draw Implements Consecutive Opponent Restriction
Arsenal have discovered their comprehensive Champions League group phase opponents following yesterday’s draw, establishing their competitive schedule whilst navigating newly implemented UEFA regulation preventing consecutive away fixtures against identical opposition.
The regulation denying Arsenal’s away travel to Prague combined with Liverpool’s blocked Anfield Real Madrid fixture establishes systematic competition balance philosophy limiting repetitive home-venue matchups across three consecutive seasons, suggesting deliberate competition structure enhancement prioritising varied competitive experience.
Arsenal’s previous season 3-0 Prague demolition combined with their current away-fixture prevention establishes genuine competitive advantage preservation rather than purely administrative regulation, validating UEFA’s systematic approach toward ensuring fresh competitive challenge distribution.
That regulatory framework combined with Arsenal’s established grouping suggests meaningful competitive foundation supporting their European championship aspirations following their previous season Budapest final disappointment.
Regulation Implementation Prevents Competitive Staleness
The regulation prohibiting three-consecutive-season identical home-venue fixtures between same opposition establishes competition diversity philosophy suggesting UEFA recognises value in fresh tactical challenges across multiple seasons. That systematic approach spanning multiple elite clubs including Liverpool alongside Arsenal suggests comprehensive competition restructuring philosophy rather than arbitrarily targeting individual institutions, indicating genuine competition-wide implementation rather than selective application.
That regulation combined with Arsenal’s established grouping establishes meaningful competitive foundation supporting sustained elite challenge throughout their group phase campaign.
Arsenal’s Comprehensive Grouping Establishes Elite Championship Foundation
Arsenal’s pairing with Real Madrid home fixture combined with Bayern Munich away establishment alongside their additional elite opposition encounters (Dortmund, Lille, Napoli, Betis) establishes genuinely demanding group phase schedule requiring sustained elite performance consistency. That competitive balance combining established elite opponents (Real Madrid, Bayern) alongside ascending threats (Lille, Dortmund) suggests meaningful championship-level testing supporting their European ambitions.
This regulation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s European trajectory. Rather than viewing the Prague away-fixture prevention as disadvantageous, their comprehensive grouping combined with their Real Madrid home advantage establishes meaningful foundation supporting their championship defence objectives.
Their Budapest final disappointment combined with this season’s elevated competitive scheduling suggests genuine opportunity for meaningful European progression throughout their demanding group phase campaign.
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