Liverpool appear to have been beaten to the signing of FC Basel winger Mohamed Salah by Premier League rivals Chelsea. Here are nine other hijacks of transfer deals in recent history.
Mohamed Salah
Winners: Chelsea
Losers: Liverpool
Liverpool had long been linked with Mohamed Salah, and were widely reported to be negotiating a transfer fee with FC Basel.
However, as soon as Juan Mata expressed an interest in joining Manchester United, Chelsea gazumped Liverpool and offered the Swiss side exactly what they wanted for Salah – leaving their Merseyside rivals empty-handed.
“It was a surprise for us that Juan was leaving,” Mourinho told reporters in his press conference. “We were not prepared to make a bid or to try to bring a player to replace Juan in the squad so everything happened very, very fast.
“We decided to try to go for Salah. We started from zero; no contacts with the club, no contacts with the player. The first step was an agreement with the club. That situation is done, no more discussions, everything is signed and done subject to the medical, that we didn’t have yet and subject to the player’s desire to join us or not. Now we know he wants [to come].”
“Okay,” said Rodgers later (probably).
Willian
Winners: Chelsea
Losers: Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur
Willian fluttered his eyelashes in the direction of both Anfield and White Hart Lane before eventually agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge.
As the financial woes of former club Anzhi Makhachkala became clear, the Brazil international midfielder was first linked with Liverpool, but turned down the Reds.
Willian then had a medical at Spurs, but subsequently infuriated then-boss Andre Villas-Boas by agreeing a deal with Chelsea.
AVB sunk to his knees in disappointment on the touchline.
“Okay,” said Rodgers later (probably).
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Winners: Tottenham Hotspur
Losers: Liverpool
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored 7 goals in 19 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ Swansea City when on loan from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and was one of the success stories of the south Wales side’s debut season in the Premier League.
When Liverpool appointed Rodgers as manager, he was naturally keen to bring his old prolific midfielder to Anfield.
However, Tottenham Hotspur were also impressed, and Hoffenheim found their offer more enticing. The Iceland international moved to White Hart Lane, and Rodgers elected to move for Joe Allen for the bargain price of £15m instead – unable to let go of his Swans connection.
Just cut the umbilical cord, Brendan. You’re on your own now.
Robinho
Winners: Manchester City
Losers: Chelsea
Even Robinho was so certain he was moving to Chelsea that he said he was happy to be there upon being unveiled by Manchester City.
“On the last day, Chelsea made a great proposal and I accepted,” said the Brazilian flair player.
“You mean Manchester, right?” responded the reporter.
Given that Man City had just spent £32.5m on acquiring him, one would have assumed the least Robinho could do is learn the name of the club he had just signed for.
John Obi Mikel
Winners: Chelsea, Manchester United
Losers: FC Lyn Oslo
Norwegian side FC Lyn Oslo had a fine young player on their books in John Obi Mikel, and Manchester United thought they had sealed a deal for the then 18 year-old in summer 2005, announcing a £4m deal had been agreed on their website.
However, Chelsea then claimed they too had agreed a deal.
Roman Abramovich elected to resolve the situation by throwing money at the problem The Blues elected to resolve the process through negotiation, and Manchester United were paid £12m for a player who had not made a single appearance for them, while FC Lyn Oslo received a mere £4m.
Chelsea then made a claim with the High Court for £16m against both FC Lyn Oslo and their director Morgan Andersen, which was settled out of court.
If that settlement was for a figure of more than £4m, it’s hard to imagine how the John Obi Mikel transfer could have gone worse for FC Lyn Oslo.
Park Chu Young
Winners: Lille OSC, AS Monaco
Losers: Arsenal
Park Chu Young may be Arsenal’s worst signing ever. At the very least, the South Korean is the oddest.
In 2011, AS Monaco striker Park was on the verge of completing a move to Lille OSC.
The 26 year-old was reportedly in a hotel in the French city, ready for his medical, when he was alerted by mobile phone of interest from Arsenal.
He promptly escaped the hotel, leaving Lille in the lurch to sign for the Gunners.
Given his lack of goals for Arsene Wenger’s side, LOSC will be feeling pretty smug about missing out on the deal in hindsight.
Arsenal meanwhile can’t get rid of Park soon enough.
Roy Keane
Winners: Manchester United
Losers: Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers could have gone on to create a dynasty after their Premier League title triumph in 1995 had they had more luck and judgement in the transfer market.
That year, manager Kenny Dalglish’s request to sign young Bordeaux playmaker Zinedine Zidane was turned down by club owner Jack Walker, who infamously retorted, “Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?”
Why indeed.
Two years prior to the ridiculous Zidane veto, Dalglish attempted to bring Nottingham Forest’s Roy Keane to Ewood Park.
Everything was agreed, but it was Friday evening, and everyone wanted to go home.
They had a nice weekend, and thought they’d wrap things up on Monday morning.
Unfortunately by then, Keane’s head had already been turned by a certain Alex Ferguson – and the rest is history.
Eidur Gudjohnsen
Winners: Tottenham Hotspur
Losers: West Ham United
In 2010, AS Monaco forward Eidur Gudjohnsen flew into Heathrow Airport to sign for West Ham United.
The Iceland international was greeted by Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy, who convinced him to move to White Hart Lane instead.
Gudjohnsen wasn’t a roaring success for Spurs, and only scored one Premier League goal for the north Londoners – but it was a hugely important one.
His goal against Stoke City was crucial in earning Tottenham three points that helped earn them UEFA Champions League football the next season.
Without Gudjohnsen, West Ham finished in 17th.
Dimitar Berbatov
Winners: Manchester United
Losers: Manchester City
Manchester City thought they were on the verge of signing Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2008, with the Daily Telegraph reporting a bid from Eastlands in excess of £30m.
In what may be the most dramatic January transfer deadline day ever, Manchester United outbid their noisy neighbours, and Berbatov moved to Old Trafford, with Man City making a late swoop for Robinho.
Arjen Robben
Winners: Chelsea
Losers: Manchester United
Manchester United retained a keen interest in PSV Eindhoven winger Arjen Robben and his luscious locks in 2003, with the youngster even travelling to London to meet with Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss a move.
The Eredivisie club were not impressed with Man Utd’s €7 million offer for their flying Dutchman however, and Chelsea promptly swooped with a successful €12m bid for the thinly coiffed ace.
The now bald Robben is today one of the very best wingers in world football.