Obviously, many transfer rumors have been going around, as clubs prepare for the next summer. So, it’s another time to see some shocking news in the world of football. Of course, some greatest transfers that nearly happened in years back.
At the moment, Lionel Messi’s possible return to Barcelona is trending, as reported by many reliable sources.
That’s the number one shocking move that could happen at the end of the 2022-2023 campaign.
It’s said that the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion is ready to make his last dance at Spotify Camp Nou happen next season.
Many players have already declared their intentions to move to another club in the next summer transfer window.
Victor Osimhen of Napoli has already made it known that he’s going to move to the Premier League in 2023-2024.
Therefore, the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly hell-bent on getting his signature in the next campaign.
Also, Enzo Le Fée of Lorient has declared that he’s going to leave the Ligue 1 side at the end of the season.
Obviously, there will be many surprising transfer news stories in the summer, as clubs are obsessed with equipping their squads.
However, we are definitely going to have another ton of transfer rumors in the world of football. Summer is always crazy.
Some years back, there were many greatest transfers that nearly happened but couldn’t due to one or two circumstances.
Of course, Mykhailo Mudryk almost joined Arsenal in the January transfer window, but the Blues later hijacked the deal.
Enzo Fernández is linked to almost all top European clubs. However, the West London club later brought him to Stamford Bridge.
During every transfer window, there’s always series of crazy news, as it happened in some seasons back.
10 greatest transfers that nearly happened in football
1. Lionel Messi to Arsenal
It’s amazing to see that the Argentine captain nearly joined the Gunners in the Premier League in 2003.
Arsenal were reportedly very linked to Lionel Messi when he was still a youth team player at Barcelona.
Former Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao confirmed that they had several talks with the Blaugranas in 2003.
However, they later failed to bring him to the Emirates. So, he stayed with Barcelona, having made many headlines.
Interestingly, the Gunners would have been on top of the world if Messi had joined them in 2003.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo to LiverpoolÂ
Of course, the international goal-scorer of all time began his journey at Manchester United in 2003.
Meanwhile, Liverpool almost signed him from Sporting CP, before he joined the Red Devils in the Premier League.
In 2003, it was a battle between the Reds and Manchester United, but the Portuguese magnifico later arrived at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson played a major role in Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United, he convinced him.
Therefore, Cristiano would have been a Liverpool player, if he hadn’t joined the Red Devils family under Ferguson.
3. Robert Lewandowski to Blackburn Rovers
The Polish striker would have been one of the Premier League’s top scorers, if he had joined Rovers in 2010.
Robert Lewandowski was at Lech Poznan, before he arrived at Borussia Dortmund. He nearly joined Blackburn Rovers in the EPL.
In 2010, the English side was in the middle of the league table, with Sam Allardyce as their manager.
They were seriously struggling with goals, even though they had forwards like Jason Roberts, Franco Di Santo, Nikola Kalinic, and others.
Lewandowski became their priority that year, as he scored 32 goals in 58 appearances for Lech Poznan.
However, they failed to get his signature in 2010, and he left the Polish side to join Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
4. Steven Gerrard to Chelsea
Frankly, the former Aston Villa gaffer may regretted not joining the West London club in 2005.
Steven Gerrard had the chance to join Chelsea that year, and the contract was reportedly signed, sealed, and delivered for his move to Stamford Bridge.
However, the deal was later called off, and the Englishman stayed at Liverpool, having spent many years at Anfield.
As a result, Chelsea later signed Michael Ballack in the process, so as to have enough reinforcements in the midfield.
We could have witnessed Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard’s combo at Chelsea. But the Reds legend refused to join the Blues family.
Their combination was so brilliant for the Three Lions during that time, so José Mourinho wanted to try it at Stamford Bridge.
5. Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid
The French superstar’s move to Santiago Bernabéu is one of the greatest transfers that nearly happened in football.
Kylian Mbappe almost joined Real Madrid twice, in 2014 during his time at Monaco on a free transfer.
Also, they nearly got his signature in 2021 on a free transfer again at Paris Saint-Germain, but he later extended his contract.
The Frenchman has made it clear that he would play for the Los Blancos sooner or later.
Reportedly, Mbappe is most likely to join Real Madrid in 2024. The La Liga remains his dream club.
6. Erling Haaland to Everton
The Manchester City goal-machine almost joined the Toffees in 2015, which could have been their greatest success.
Erling Haaland was Everton’s main priority in 2015, as they wanted to balance their frontline. However, they have themselves to blame.
Both Ronald Koeman and the club were responsible for the Norwegian youngster inability to join the Toffees.
Walsh, being the club’s chief scout in 2015, recommended that they sign Haaland. But the club thought otherwise.
It was when Erling was at Bryne FK in Norway that he began to put his name on the map in the world of football.
A year later, he joined Molde before his move to Borussia Dortmund. What a signing he would have been for Everton.
7. Virgil van Dijk to Brighton Albion
The centre-back started his professional football career at FC Groningen, that was when the Seagulls had the chance to sign him.
Virgil van Dijk nearly signed for Brighton Albion in 2012, that was before he signed for Celtic.
The Seagulls tabled £2.5 million bid for the Dutch centre-back, but FC Groningen rejected their bid.
However, he later joined the Scottish side, before his move to Southampton. Of course, it would have been a great signing for the Seagulls.
Brighton Albion are known for bringing out the best in young players, imagine what would have happened if they had signed Van Dijk.
8. Gareth Bale to Nottingham Forest
During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, the Welsh magnifico almost joined Nottingham Forest in 2009.
Harry Redknapp didn’t believe so much in Gareth Bale, so the Spurs almost forced him to join Forest that year.
Obviously, the Welsh magnifico was very versatile, he played as a left-back and left winger at Tottenham.
Meanwhile, he struggled mostly under Harry Redknapp, which is why he almost joined Nottingham Forest.
9. Mykhailo Mudryk to Brentford
It’s amazing to know that the Bees had the chance to sign the Ukrainian Neymar, before Arsenal and Chelsea interest in the player.
During last summer’s transfer window, Brentford offered £25.7 million for Mykhailo Mudryk in 2022.
However, Shakhtar Donetsk decided to reject the offer, believing they could get more money from his transfer in January.
And they actually did in 2023, as evidenced by the amount the West London club spent on getting his signature.
Had Shakhtar Donetsk accepted Brentford’s offer, Mudryk would have been in the Premier League since 2022.
10. Antoine Griezmann to Fulham
The Cottagers reportedly almost signed the Frenchman from Real Sociedad in 2014, before his move to Atletico Madrid.
During that time, Antoine Griezmann was valued at £12 million, and Fulham were so close to getting his signature that year.
On the contrary, the deal somehow fell through, and everything collapsed. After that, he was able to join Atletico Madrid in 2014.
Potential-wise, Antoine Griezmann would have been Fulham’s greatest signing, considering his versatility as a player.
The Frenchman would have been one of the club’s legends, because he has the ability to make it happen.