The top ten strangest Premier League transfers…
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On Wednesday, Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen was linked with a sensational £20m move to Manchester United. If the transfer would to go through, the Welsh captain would be the first player since 1938 to move from Anfield to Old Trafford.
With that in mind, CaughtOffside takes a look back at the top ten most surprising Premier League transfer moves:
10) Bebe
Bebe joined Manchester United from Vitória de Guimarães in 2010, despite manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitting he’d never seen him play. The forward made two Premier League appearances in a four-year spell.
9) Julien Faubert
The Frenchman joined West Ham United in 2007, and stayed there until 2012. However, his spell at the club was interrupted by a strange loan spell at Real Madrid in 2009. He made two appearances and was accused of falling asleep on the substitute bench during a game.
8) Didier Drogba
A fan favourite at Chelsea, who had spent eight years at Stamford Bridge before leaving the club for, of all places, China and Shanghai Shenhua. He soon moved on to Galatasaray, before returning to the Blues this summer.
7) Eric Cantona
The famous French striker made the surprise move from Leeds United to Manchester United in 1992, and proceeded to become one of the most iconic strikers in the club’s history, scoring 64 league goals.
6) Michael Owen
The former Real Madrid man stunned the Premier League when he joined Manchester United from Newcastle United in 2009. The move was made all the more extraordinary by the player’s long history with Liverpool, whose fans branded him a traitor.
5) Fernando Torres
Liverpool’s star man made the shock switch to Chelsea in January 2011, in a British record £50m move. The Spaniard would never rediscover his form in a Blue shirt, and looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
4) Andy Carroll
Torres’ exit saw Liverpool spend a club record £35m on Newcastle United’s young striker Andy Carroll. The big man’s spell at Anfield was hugely restricted by injuries, and he left for West Ham United on loan in 2012, and permanently a year later.
3) Sol Campbell
After spending over a decade with Tottenham, Campbell did the unthinkable by moving to Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal. He became a key player for the Gunners, and was part of the Invincible’s team of 2003.
2) Robinho
Robinho was the first marquee signing of the modern-day Manchester City. While the Brazilian was something of a failure at the Etihad Stadium, he paved the way for other big-name signings in the future, and helped established them as a big club.
1) Carlos Tevez & Javier Mascherano
The Argentine pair made the shock move to West Ham in 2006, and their arrival brought suggestions that the Hammers could challenge for a Champions League place. However, in reality they narrowly avoided relegation, with both players leaving within the year.
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