The 40 Greatest Failed Football Transfers Ever – Ranked
Football history is full of “what ifs” — transfers that nearly happened but collapsed for surprising reasons. From broken fax machines to government interference, many of the world’s greatest players almost ended up somewhere completely different. Here’s a journey through some of the most fascinating failed moves — starting with the most recent and going back in time.
Olivier Giroud, Chelsea → Vancouver Whitecaps (2019)
In 2019, Vancouver Whitecaps targeted Olivier Giroud as their new Designated Player in MLS. The French striker, however, preferred a bigger stage and rejected the move, keeping his career in Europe alive.
Jonathan David, Ottawa ISC → VfB Stuttgart / RB Salzburg (2018)
As a teenager, Jonathan David trialed with both Stuttgart and Salzburg but was turned down. Within two years he was worth €20 million and among Europe’s top attacking prospects.
Serge Gnabry, Arsenal → Schalke 04 (2016)
Schalke wanted Serge Gnabry as a replacement for Leroy Sané, but after signing Breel Embolo, they couldn’t afford both. Gnabry instead went to Werder Bremen and soon developed into a Bayern Munich star.
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Marek Hamšík, Napoli → BVB (2016)
Marek Hamšík came close to joining Borussia Dortmund in 2016, but the club needed to sell players first. He stayed at Napoli, renewed his contract, and continued his legendary status in Serie A.
Kylian Mbappé → RB Leipzig (2015)
Ralf Rangnick wanted to bring Kylian Mbappé to RB Leipzig, but his father rejected the move due to the instability of having no permanent coach. Mbappé stayed in France and went on to become a global superstar.
Neymar, Santos → Real Madrid (2013)
Neymar even had a medical in Madrid, but a complicated financial agreement caused the deal to collapse. Instead, he moved to Barcelona where he formed part of the famous MSN trio.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, HSV → 1. FC Köln (2011)
Choupo-Moting’s transfer to Köln collapsed in bizarre fashion when a broken fax machine delayed paperwork by 12 minutes. He would later enjoy spells at PSG and Bayern Munich.
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Robert Lewandowski, Lech Poznań → Genoa (2009) / Blackburn (2010)
Lewandowski was in advanced talks with Genoa in 2009, while Blackburn also showed strong interest in 2010. The Icelandic volcanic eruption famously prevented travel, and Dortmund swooped in — the rest is history.
Medhi Benatia, Clermont Foot → SC Freiburg (2009)
Freiburg turned down Medhi Benatia after a trial, saying he “wasn’t quality.” He went on to star for Roma, Bayern, and Juventus at the highest level.
Franck Ribéry, FC Bayern → Chelsea (2009)
Ribéry wanted to leave Bayern because of Louis van Gaal, and Chelsea made a huge offer. Bayern convinced him to stay, and he became one of their greatest ever players.
Neymar, Santos → Lokomotiv Moscow (2008)
Before his Barcelona fame, Neymar was close to joining Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008. Russian scouts considered him too slight, and they passed — a decision they would forever regret.
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Gareth Bale, Tottenham → HSV (2008)
HSV had the chance to sign Gareth Bale for €7 million in 2008. They passed, and Bale later became a record-breaking transfer at Real Madrid.
Stevan Jovetić, Partizan → 1. FC Köln (2007)
Cologne targeted Jovetić as their main signing, but EU rules prevented his move since he was under 18. He later joined Fiorentina and established himself in Europe.
Rafael van der Vaart, HSV → Valencia (2007)
The Dutch playmaker even posed in a Valencia shirt, but Hamburg blocked the move. A year later he secured a transfer to Real Madrid.
Marcelo, Fluminense → HSV (2006/07)
HSV failed to afford Marcelo, then just a young left-back at Fluminense. Real Madrid snapped him up, and he became one of the best full-backs in football history.
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Alexandre Pato, Internacional → Hertha Berlin (2006)
Hertha had agreed personal terms with Pato but refused to pay €3.5 million. A year later AC Milan paid €24 million, making him the most expensive teenager at the time.
Manuel Neuer, Schalke 04 → 1. FC Köln (2006)
All parties agreed on Neuer’s move to Köln, but rivals Gladbach blocked it by signing Schalke’s backup keeper. Neuer stayed and became one of the greatest goalkeepers ever.
Nuri Şahin, BVB → Arsenal (2005)
As a teenager, Arsenal tried to lure Nuri Şahin from Dortmund. The failed bid convinced BVB to keep faith in him, and he became their youngest Bundesliga player.
Francesco Totti, Roma → Real Madrid (2004)
Totti admitted he considered leaving Roma for Madrid in 2004. Ultimately, he chose loyalty and became “Il Capitano” for life.
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Thierry Henry, Monaco → Real Madrid (1990s)
Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz targeted Henry, but he chose Juventus instead. His career truly exploded at Arsenal, where he became a legend.
Esteban Cambiasso, Real Madrid → 1. FC Kaiserslautern (2003)
Real Madrid wanted to loan Cambiasso, but he refused. In 2004 he joined Inter Milan, where he enjoyed a legendary career.
Fernando Morientes, Real Madrid → Schalke 04 (2003)
Schalke couldn’t meet his €2.7 million net salary despite agreeing a €10 million fee. Morientes instead joined Monaco and starred in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting → Arsenal / Juventus / Valencia (2003)
Arsenal and Juventus missed out on Cristiano Ronaldo, with Valencia coming closest at €5 million. An internal dispute ended the deal, and Manchester United secured him.
Ronaldinho → BVB (2001), Manchester United (2003)
Borussia Dortmund had a deal with Grêmio, but Ronaldinho turned it down. Later, Manchester United were close before Barcelona hijacked the move.
Yaya Touré, KSK Beveren → Arsenal (2003)
Touré almost joined Arsenal, but Arsène Wenger saw him as a striker. Touré rejected the idea, and the move collapsed.
Kaká, São Paulo → Bayer Leverkusen (2002)
Bayer had agreed personal terms, but São Paulo raised the price after Brazil’s 2002 World Cup win. Milan later signed him, and he went on to win the Ballon d’Or.
Michael Essien, SC Bastia → VfL Wolfsburg (2002)
Essien impressed on trial, but Wolfsburg refused Bastia’s fee demands. Lyon bought him a year later, and he became a Champions League star at Chelsea.
Philipp Lahm, FC Bayern → Arminia Bielefeld / FC Barcelona (2002)
Lahm almost moved to Bielefeld on loan, but doubts about his size killed the deal. Barcelona also monitored him closely before he broke through at Bayern.
Petr Čech, FK Chmel Blšany → Werder Bremen (2001)
Čech trialed at Werder Bremen, but the club refused to pay €1 million. He later moved to Chelsea and became one of the best keepers of his era.
Zlatan Ibrahimović, Malmö FF → FC Bayern (2001)
Bayern were close to signing Zlatan but refused to pay €8 million. Ajax grabbed him instead, and he developed into a world-class striker.
Lionel Messi → River Plate (2000), Espanyol (2005), Inter (2006)
Messi could have joined River Plate as a youth, but they declined after a trial. Barcelona nearly loaned him to Espanyol, and Inter almost triggered his €150m release clause.
Aleksandr Hleb, BATE Borisov → 1860 München (2000)
Coach Werner Lorant dismissed Hleb as “too light,” even mocking him as a “sardine.” Stuttgart signed him instead, and he went on to play for Arsenal and Barcelona.
Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv → Werder Bremen (1997)
Werder Bremen rejected the chance to sign Shevchenko during talks. He broke through at Kyiv, earning a blockbuster move to AC Milan.
Pavel Nedvěd, Sparta Prague → MSV Duisburg (1996)
Duisburg nearly signed him, but Euro 1996 changed everything. Lazio picked him up after his breakout tournament.
Andreas Köpke, Frankfurt → VfB Stuttgart / FC Barcelona (1996)
Fresh off Euro ‘96 glory, Köpke signed contracts with both Stuttgart and Barcelona. Legal confusion voided the deals, and he joined Marseille.
Ronaldo, Cruzeiro → VfB Stuttgart (1994)
Before PSV, Barcelona, and Inter, VfB Stuttgart wanted Ronaldo. They refused to pay 4m DM, opting for Giovane Elber instead.
Stefan Effenberg, Fiorentina → Werder Bremen (1994)
The German midfielder was close to returning home, but salary demands stopped Werder. Gladbach took him instead.
Ruud Gullit, AC Milan → FC Bayern (1988)
Gullit seriously considered joining Bayern and met with Uli Hoeneß. He ultimately rejected the idea of moving to Germany.
Michel Platini, AS Nancy → 1. FC Saarbrücken (1976)
Saarbrücken turned down Platini, claiming he was too light. Months later he was France’s Player of the Year.
Franz Beckenbauer → 1860 München (1958), Inter (1966)
Beckenbauer nearly joined Bayern’s rivals 1860, and later came close to Inter. Both moves collapsed, and he cemented his place as Bayern’s greatest.
Pelé, Santos → Hannover 96 (1964)
Hannover dreamed of signing Pelé, but the Brazilian government blocked it. They declared him untouchable as a state treasure.
