5 times clubs hijacked others' transfer deals

If you are not aware of the transfer saga that took place throughout the last few days revolving around highly rated Brazilian attacker Malcom, you were either living under a rock for the past days or you don't care about football at all, which is less probable because if it was the case you wouldn't have clicked on the article in the first place.

Anyways, this saga is one of the most interesting ones we have witnessed in the recent times. Linked with several clubs from Europe's top leagues, it was almost certain that the talented winger will have a new team by the start of the season. Malcom was linked with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, Inter Milan and Everton before it was revealed by AS Roma that they have reached to an agreement with Bordeaux for the transfer of the player.

The Italian club was so confident that they had fans waiting at the airport for their latest player, but that's when Spanish giants Barcelona decided to make an eleventh hour bid for the 21-year-old leading Bordeaux to cancel his flight to Rome. The Giallorossi immediately made an improved offer which was belittled by the Catalan club's second bid. Monchi, the director of Roma, pulled out of the deal and later revealed that the club is considering taking legal action against Bordeaux.

Meanwhile, Barcelona agreed a £36 million deal with the French club for the player and Malcom arrived for his medical on Wednesday.

Long story short, the Blaugrana hijacked Roma's deal for Malcom. However this is not the first time that a club has done this. Here are five times clubs hijacked transfer deals of other clubs:

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#5 Willian to Chelsea (hijacked from Tottenham)

Willian was on the verge of joining Tottenham in 2013

Willian, a player wanted by Barcelona this summer, joined Premier League side Chelsea for a fee of £32 million in 2013. However, this transfer was one that infuriated the whole Tottenham fanbase.

Prior to Chelsea completing the deal for Willian, the now 29-year-old was on the verge of signing for the club's derby rivals Tottenham. Spurs had fought off competition from Liverpool and struck a £30 million deal with Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for the purchase of the winger. The Brazilian had even completed a medical.

Things took a wild U-turn as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich directly called Anzhi owner and convinced him to send Willian to Stamford Bridge for £32 million.

Luckily for the former Shakhtar Donetsk player, he only had to take one of those famous London cabs to reach his new club.

#4 John Obi Mikel to Chelsea (hijacked from Manchester United)

Don't be deceived by the image. Mikel didn't play for Man Utd

Another transfer hijacking incident involving Chelsea. They are a cheeky bunch, aren't they?

Back in 2005, Mikel had reportedly agreed for a move to Manchester United and even took part in a press conference in the club kit (which explains the above image). A video of the Nigerian midfielder being given the number 21 shirt by one of the Manchester Club's representatives, Jim Ryan, even started circulating on the internet.

However, a sudden turn of things saw the then hot prospect sign for London side Chelsea. This move by the Blues was heavily maligned by Manchester United, especially assistant manager Carlos Queiroz.

The dispute was eventually settled after Chelsea paid the Red Devils a compensation of €15 million.

#3 David Beckham to Real Madrid (hijacked from Barcelona)

Beckham could have been a Barcelona legend!

A fallout with manager Alex Ferguson in 2003 led to David Beckham deciding to leave Manchester United. A player like the former England international was sure to attract interest from top clubs and as expected Barcelona came calling. Soon the two clubs told the media that they have reached an agreement for the transfer of the midfielder.

However, it seemed that Beckham preferred a move to Barcelona's arch rivals, Real Madrid and days later it was revealed that the Red Devils had accepted a bid of around £34 million for the player. Although their rivals snatched their target right from under their noses, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Barcelona as Beckham's stint was Los Blancos was a failed one.

However, the incident left the Blaugrana incensed with the actions of Manchester United leading them to hijack one of the English club's deals the same year.

#2 Ronaldinho to Barcelona (hijacked from Manchester United)

Barcelona signed Ronaldinho after missing out on Beckham

And the player Barcelona hijacked from Manchester United was Ronaldinho. The Alex Ferguson-managed side had been heavily linked with a move to the Old Trafford and was expected to fill the void left by Beckham at the club.

Several top clubs from Europe had expressed their interest in the then Paris Saint-Germain star, but it emerged that Manchester United had won the race for the Brazilian. Enter Barcelona and things take a wild turn.

Like the Catalan club's latest signing Malcom, Ronaldinho was also on the brink of boarding a plane (Manchester in the 38-year-old's case) when the club made an offer. A last minute bid of around £30 million was accepted by PSG and the player ended up in Spain.

It was a heartbreak for Manchester United to see their top target being signed by someone else, but it all got cured when the club signed a young talent by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo.

#1 Alfredo Di Stefano to Real Madrid (hijacked from Barcelona)

Alfredo Di Stefano won 5 European Championships with Real Madrid

A transfer saga involving two of the biggest clubs in the history of football for one of the greatest players to have embraced the game surely have to number one on the list.

The legendary forward, after coming through the ranks of River Plate academy, was sent to Colombia on a four-year-long loan. In 1953, he unsuccessfully requested his club to cancel his contract which led him to retire.

However, Barcelona decided to give Di Stefano a contract. The Spanish club was trying their all to convince both his previous clubs, River Plate and Millonarios, for the transfer.

That was when Real Madrid came into the picture and lured the player to the Bernabeu. The signed of Di Stefano was an important move in the history of the club as he led them to eight league titles and five European Championships. What would have happened if it was not for this controversial transfer is something that we all cannot even imagine.