5 most unexpected transfers in football history

Hundreds of transfers occur between clubs every season, with top players moving around in almost every window. While some players fit perfectly into their new clubs, others end up regretting their moves as they are not able to settle in.

Some famous transfers in history raised eyebrows as the players were either moving to their arch-rivals or joining a club way above or below their status.

We take a look at 5 such transfers that were totally unexpected and will go down in history as being some of the most unexpected:

#5 - Robinho to Manchester City

Robinho's move to Manchester City has to be one of the most confusing transfers of all time. The Brazilian was in talks with Chelsea, thought he was joining Manchester United when he signed for Manchester City, and then went on air and claimed he was joining Chelsea.

Manchester City wanted to make a statement signing after the takeover, and Mark Hughes asked for Robinho. Real Madrid were caught off guard on transfer deadline day when the Cityzens bid for the striker. Former Blancos president Ramon Calderon told The Big Interview with Graham Hunter how easy the negotiations were. He revealed:

"It's funny to recall. I got a phone call after 8pm on the final night of the market and was told that somebody from Man City wanted to buy Robinho. I said 'how much?' And they said 'thirty five million Euros' and I said, 'No, forty million!' and they just said: 'Okay!'"

"Just like that, no discussion. Immediately I saw an opportunity and said: 'But what about the solidarity payment of 5 per cent on top and they said: 'Okay' again! Now I'm no entrepreneur but I knew I was representing my club, Madrid, and so I said: '...cash?' This time they said: 'Of course!' It wasn't the normal thing to do, you pay in installments."

Robinho played 53 games for Manchester City, scoring 16 times before leaving for Santos on loan and then joining AC Milan.

#4 - Luis Figo to Real Madrid

Luis Figo.

From a controversial outgoing Real Madrid transfer to an incoming one. Luis Figo was touted as the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or in the summer of 2000, and it was at the same time Florentino Pérez got elected as the Real Madrid president.

The new president wanted to make a statement signing, and whobetter than the world's best footballer at that time and that too from their arch-rivals Barcelona. Real Madrid stunned the world by activating Luis Figo's €62 million release clause, and it signed the start of the Galáctico era at Santiago Bernabeu.

Luis Figo ended up with 56 goals and 93 assists in his 245 appearances for Real Madrid.

#3 - Sol Campbell to Arsenal

Sol Campbell of Arsenal celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal

When Sol Campbell's contract at Tottenham expired, most fans expected him to re-sign with the White Hart Lane side soon. He had assured them he would, and Spurs had an offer on the table that would have made him their highest-paid player ever.

However, things took a dramatic turn when Arsenal jumped into the mix and convinced him to join them – months after he had told a Tottenham magazine he would never join the Gunners. Arsene Wenger and Co. kept the talks relatively secrey, and there were absolutely no leaks in the media regarding the possible transfer.

Arsenal called a press conference and claimed it was to unveil Richard Wright, but Wenger walked out with Sol Campbell and left the journalists and fans dazed.

#2 - Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United in 2021

Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United rumors have been around for nearly a decade now but there seemed to be nothing concrete behind the rumors. The Portuguese star was enjoying his time in Real Madrid, and in 2018, he wanted a new challenge and joined Juventus.

This summer, with rumors of Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to leave Juventus, Manchester United were not in the frame for a long time. The former Real Madrid star was leaning towards Manchester City, and when the talks were in an advanced stage, Manchester United swooped in and signed him up.

The move came out of the blue, and Cristiano Ronaldo was back home at Manchester United for just over €23 million.

#1 - Lionel Messi to PSG

Messi in action for PSG

One-club footballers are rare in world football, especially at the top level. But Lionel Messi did not want to try different leagues as he wanted to stay at Barcelona for his entire career.

The Argentine did try to leave the Catalan side in 2020 after a fallout with then-president Josep Bartomeu. However, he decided not to take the club to court after they blocked his move and forced him to return to training.

Fast forward a year, and things were the exact opposite. Lionel Messi wanted to stay at Barcelona and agreed a wage cut to seal the new contract, but the club could not afford to pay his salary due to LaLiga rules. It forced him out of the club, and he ended up joining Paris Saint-Germain – who welcomed him with open arms.