5 drawn-out transfer sagas that ended in disappointment

The football world has witnessed several long-drawn transfer sagas over the last decade. Players from different clubs across the world have been part of extended transfer links with other clubs, with not all of them working out.

There have been some transfer sagas that did go through, such as the unremitting Jadon Sancho-Manchester United saga that recently saw its conclusion. However, there have also been several that almost seemed set in stone only to end in dismay.

Let's take a look at five drawn-out transfer sagas that ended in disappointment.

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#5. Karim Benzema | Arsenal

Real Madrid CF v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League

You don't have to follow football regularly to know that Arsenal have been involved in several transfer sagas that didn't work out.

Of the multiple players that Arsenal fans have seen linked with the Gunners, Karim Benzema is certainly one of the biggest and most long-drawn transfer sagas that bore no fruit. Linked with Arsenal repeatedly, Benzema has been one of the first names reported by transfer tabloids on the opening of the transfer window.

A prolific striker, Benzema understandably drew the attention of several top clubs in Europe. Having been linked with the Premier League club for almost four seasons, it was even reported at one time that personal terms had been agreed and a deal was imminent.

Seemingly seeking a move away from Madrid, the zenith of Benzema's links with Arsenal came in 2018. Several reports suggested that a deal was imminent, but talks ultimately broke down when Arsenal reportedly failed to match Los Blancos' asking price.

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#4. Nabil Fekir | Liverpool

France v Brazil - International Friendly

Of all the players linked with Liverpool, Nabil Fekir was one that broke hearts on the biggest scale.

The summer of 2018 saw Liverpool in the market for a replacement for Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian had just left to join Barcelona on a big-money deal. Seeking a high-calibre player, Liverpool identified Fekir as their top target.

Famed for his link-up play and eye for goal, Liverpool made contact with Fekir's agents seeking a potential move. The transfer saga played out to levels that were previously unmatched in Liverpool's history.

With several top journalists reporting that the deal was imminent, the transfer was well on course to be completed. Ultimately, it turned out that Fekir had some recurring issues with his knee that caused him to fail the medical with the Reds.

Several other reports also claimed that the deal fell through due to issues with the player's agent and close family. Fekir later spoke out about the saga and confirmed that the move had fallen through in the final minute.

Confirming that there were no significant issues due to his knee or his family, he claimed that Liverpool made a U-turn on the deal at the last minute.

Fekir remained at Lyon and went on to join Real Betis a year later. Considering the manner in which talks broke down, it is unlikely that Fekir will move to Liverpool in the future.

#3. Antoine Griezmann | Manchester United

FC Barcelona v Arsenal - Pre-Season Friendly

Manchester United were involved in a long-drawn transfer saga for Antoine Griezmann in the summer of 2017.

With the Premier League outfit seeking a prolific striker, Griezmann was reportedly identified as the Red Devils' top target. Coupled with goalscoring issues and a long-term injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, United had set their focus on signing Griezmann and bringing him to Old Trafford.

With a release clause of €100 million in his contract, Griezmann would have become the third-most-expensive player in history at the time. United seemingly had a genuine interest in Griezmann and were even reportedly ready to shell out the big bucks for the Frenchman.

With the player reportedly keen on moving to Old Trafford, talks eventually broke down. The deal never went through and Griezmann's agent later spoke out, saying the club's transfer ban was the main reason for failed talks.

United went on to sign Romelu Lukaku instead and Griezmann went to Barcelona in 2019.

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#2. Toni Kroos | Manchester United

Real Madrid v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

Toni Kroos was heavily linked with Manchester United in 2014 before he eventually signed for Real Madrid.

Kroos, a world-class midfielder, excelled during his time with Bayern Munich. Having won the Bundesliga multiple times, Kroos also won the coveted UEFA Champions League with the German outfit.

The midfielder seemed to have hit his peak in 2014 and was courted by several top European clubs. What followed next was an uncanny sequence of events that led to the transfer not working out.

Kroos went on to win the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 2014 and this, paired with David Moyes' sacking at Manchester United, led to the transfer failing to go through. Involved directly in conversations with David Moyes at the time, Kroos has since gone on record to share the details of his failed transfer to Old Trafford.

Kroos has said that his talks with Moyes proved to be fruitful and even called the transfer 'basically done'. However, with Moyes being replaced by Louis van Gaal, the Dutchman reportedly opted to go in a different direction.

The transfer fell through and Kroos went to Real Madrid instead. The move proved to be fruitful for Kroos as he went on to win three Champions League medals with Los Blancos as well as two La Ligas.

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#1. Wesley Sneijder | Manchester United

Netherlands v Brazil: 2010 FIFA World Cup - Quarter Finals

Another in the long list of transfer sagas, Wesley Sneijder's failed move to Manchester United surely takes the cake as the biggest and most disappointing.

Hailed by several managers and fans as one of the best players of his generation, it was no surprise Sneijder garnered interest from Manchester United. Playing with Inter Milan at the time, Sneijder won the treble in 2010 and also went on to play in the FIFA World Cup final.

Touted by many as the best player in the world at the time, Sneijder's move to Manchester United was all but done. Linked consistently with the Red Devils for three seasons, Inter's asking price for Sneijder proved to be the deciding factor in the failed transfer.

With several rumors flooding the internet about Sneijder's move, United fans found themselves believing their club had gotten the deal done. The peak of these rumors even saw some outlets claim that Sneijder had undergone a medical at United and that his announcement was imminent.

Ultimately, the transfer fell through and United refused to pay the asking price for the Dutchman. Sneijder has since admitted his desire to join United back then and expressed his helplessness when the deal broke down. Sneijder moved to Galatasaray in Turkey a couple of years later, where he went on to play for four years.