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#3 David de Gea (A faulty fax machine reportedly kept him in Manchester)
As bizarre as bizarre gets. David de Gea is still Manchester United's number one despite all the trials and tribulations he has undergone in recent months.
However, in 2015, he was touted to be the best goalkeeper on the planet, and Real Madrid really wanted him. Like really.
The deal was done, Keylor Navas was supposed to move to the other side, and De Gea was to make a dream move to Los Blancos. But apparently a dodgy fax machine in Real's headquarters meant the paperwork could not go through on time.
One version says that the broken fax machine belonged to Manchester United and not Real Madrid. There has been no official confirmation from either club in this regard. But the grapevine will forever talk about the dream move that was scuppered by a lowly fax machine.
#2 John Obi Mikel (Manchester United player, no Chelsea, sorry)
This is another all-time bizarre transfer story that has acquired legendary status.
John Obi Mikel became a Chelsea great during his 11 years with the club, winning multiple trophies for them. However, it could all have been completely different.
Mikel had apparently signed professional forms with Manchester United in 2005 before joining Chelsea. He was then playing for Norwegian club Lynn Oslo. Later, the then teenager, who had also been pictured in a United shirt, said that he was forced to sign for the Manchester club and actually wanted to play for Chelsea.
Mikel's agent John Shittu was reported by Manchester United to FIFA and was also called before a Nigerian commission. The case dragged on with even the courts and solicitors getting involved before Mikel eventually joined Chelsea in August 2006.
It is said that even United received a part of Mikel's transfer fees despite the player never even playing for them. No one knows what went through Mikel's mind during those months. Was he himself sure whom he wanted to play for?
#1 Alfredo Di Stefano (General Franco steps in to block move to Barcelona?)
One of the greatest footballers ever to have played the game, the prolific Alfredo Di Stefano, helped Real Madrid win the first five European Cups to become a Bernabeu legend. But he was all set to become a Barcelona player, believe it or not!
A story full of conspiracy theories, multiple clubs in three countries and even the rumoured involvement of a dictator: this is the strangest transfer story of all time.
Di Stefano was playing for Colombian club Millonarios when he travelled to Spain to play a friendly tournament. He caught the attention of both Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
It was the latter that led the race but made the fatal mistake of rebuffing the Colombian club because they believed that Di Stefano's registration lay with Argentine club River Plate, Millonarios' former owners.
Barcelona even flew Di Stefano to Spain, with the player reportedly playing a friendly for the club. That was when Real Madrid stepped in, with their president Santiago Bernabeu securing a surreptitious agreement with Millonarios.
Even a contract was prepared before RFEF (Spanish football federation) stepped in to stop the move despite FIFA allowing the same. Madrid's startling 'decision' was to let the player play for alternate clubs, beginning with the capital club for four years.
At that point, an incensed Barcelona board tore up the contract, and their president resigned.
Tilll now, Di Stefano's move to Spain is riddled in mystery and controversy, with theories stating that Spain dictator General Franco played a role in stopping the Barcelona deal and bringing Di Stefano to Real Madrid which was then 'considered' Franco's club.
There were also rumours of double agents being involved that worked to scupper Barcelona's hopes. Whatever may be the case, it only added to the bitterness of the El Clasico that continues to be the most contested football matches of all time.
