5 major January transfers that collapsed at the last minute

3. Peter Odemwingie – West Bromwich Albion to QPR (2013)

Peter Odemwingie's attempt to force a move from West Brom to QPR remains infamous

Perhaps the most controversial incident in the history of the January transfer window, the actions of Peter Odemwingie in 2013 remain infamous today to longtime fans of the Premier League. The Nigerian striker had spent 2 seasons at West Bromwich Albion, scoring 25 league goals in the process, but by 2012-13 he’d had enough at the Hawthorns and decided he wanted to move elsewhere.

When the January window opened, Odemwingie slapped in a transfer request – which was subsequently turned down by the Baggies, who stated that they didn’t want to sell any players during the month. That didn’t stop QPR from making an offer for him, but when a £2m bid was turned down by West Brom, the Nigerian striker went off on an incredible Twitter rant.

Odemwingie accused the club of doubting his commitment, stealing his loyalty, and simply stalling in an attempt to get more money out of a potential suitor. Even that wasn’t enough to force West Brom’s hand, and so the striker took matters into his own hands.

In a bizarre move, Odemwingie drove himself to Loftus Road on deadline day in an attempt to force the move to QPR through – but as West Brom had not sanctioned the transfer, the London club were forced to lock him out of the ground to avoid falling foul of the laws of the game.

Eventually, the Nigerian returned to West Brom under a dark cloud, and after being disciplined by the club, continued to play for the Baggies until he secured a move to Cardiff City in the next transfer window.