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No transfer window is complete without a flurry of activity peppered with speculation, rumours and the constant cries and demands of the fans.
The closing of the transfer window is no less than an end of season sale with managers scrambling to grab the best left in the pile. Arsenal broke its own record yesterday by paying the highest they ever have by buying the German midfielder Mesut Ozil for a whopping 42.4m.
This surpasses their previous highest purchase of Andrey Arshavin by 28m. Here’s a list of a couple of notable transfer window signings that have taken place in the Premier league over the years:
1. The most expensive deal to have ever been made for a teenager in the Premier League, is the transfer of Wayne Rooney from Everton to Manchester United in the year 2004.
Rooney was only 18 when he agreed to move to United for a fee of 25.6 million which undoubtedly made it one of the best value for money moves that were made. Eight seasons later, Rooney continues to play with the same class, having scored over 180 goals in his glowing career at the club.
2. Arsenal had also carried forward a great bargain for striker Robin Van Persie in the same year Rooney moved to United. His move from Arsenal to Manchester United last season was for 24 million, which was more than tenfold of the deal made by Arsenal to buy him from Feyenoord.
The 2.75 million spent by Arsenal proved to be one of the greatest negotiations ever, as his career with Arsenal and his current form speaks for itself.
Another wise buy made by Wenger would be the transfer of Marc Overmars for a sum of 5.5million and then selling him off to Barcelona for more than five times the amount after getting three years of splendid performances out of him, including winning the league championship.
3. Money cant buy class and it certainly cannot guarantee the success of a player at a club. This can be exemplified by the pocket pinching move of Fernando Torres for the staggering sum of 50 million.
His switch from Liverpool to Chelsea did not come along with his consistency in goal scoring. Soon enough, the only area he was ranked highly in was the worst signings in the Premier league and his Youtube videos on his several goal misses.
4. One of the most unexpected deals was Robinho’s move from Real Madrid to Mancherster City for 32.5 million. Having already stated his desire to play for Chelsea, a last minute move finalized his transfer to City.
The deal was so sudden that even Robinho took time to process it as he stated that he was “happy to move to Chelsea” during his press conference, only to be corrected soon after. The only good kicks this transfer gave was the hilarity of the video of his press conference blunder.
5. Topping the list of highly unpopular transfers is Luis Figo’s move from Barcelona to rival team Real Madrid.
This deal infuriated fans so much that when he came to play for the El Clasico at Camp Nou, they went as far as throwing a decapitated pig’s head at him amongst a volley of other objects.
Needless to say that is one very popular pig’s head that enjoys his new home at a museum now.
6. This one, I like to call as the most ridiculous transfers ever. Liverpool were so desperate to get their hands off Andy Caroll that they agreed to pay him around 1 million in addition to his transfer fee at West Ham even though his move was a loss for them, considering that they bought him for 35 million from Newcastle.
7. The shortest transfer is that of Martin Demichelis who signed for Athletico two months ago before declaring his move to Manchester City this season. Valued at 4 million, City aim to use him as a replacement for Kolo Toure’s transfer to Liverpool.
Martin Demichelis
8. Javier Mascherano had a very controversial transfer with his move to Liverpool, being approved by the Premier League after the transfer deadline had passed. He was bought on loan from West Ham before moving to Barcelona in 2010.
9. The last one is not an actual transfer but one that I wish would’ve taken place. Arsene Wenger was looking forward to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Arsenal before he moved to Manchester United.
Wenger even joked that he wished he could’ve seduced Ronaldo the same way he charmed the Portuguese’s mother.
What do you think are the most notable moves in transfer history that have affected clubs for better or for worse?
