In light of Raheem Sterling’s seemingly imminent exit from Liverpool when the summer window opens, we’ve taken a look at the Premier League’s most controversial transfers in its history.
From Sol Campbell to Ashley Cole, there’s plenty of shock market business that has left football fans seething with fury. A feeling that the Anfield faithful could experience in just a few months if a certain England international gets his own way…
Take a look below at the top nine controversial transfers in England’s top flight…
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9. Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal captain to Chelsea (2014)
Fabregas could not have been much clearer.
“If some day I leave Arsenal it will never be to sign for another English team. I’m very sure,” he told the Telegraph in 2011.
In summer 2014, he left FC Barcelona – and signed for Chelsea.
Naturally, this didn’t go down brilliantly with his former club.
8. Michael Owen – Liverpool hero to Manchester United (2009)
The former England striker joined Liverpool aged 12 and went onto become a hero on Merseyside. The forward scored on his professional debut against Wimbledon, which led to 297 appearances and 158 goals.
Nonetheless, if there’s one way to damage a heroic status with the Reds – it’s joining the club’s fierce rivals Manchester United. The now BT Sport co-commentator sealed a free transfer to Old Trafford, and unsurprisingly lost a great deal of respect from the Kop.
7. Carlos Tevez – Manchester United to Manchester City (2009)
The Argentine’s link-up play with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney had seen the striker became a fan favourite at Old Trafford during his two-year loan spell.
However, there’s no easier way to infuriate Red Devils supporters than sealing a move to neighbours Manchester City. Tevez, however, seemed to relish the attention.
6. Frank Lampard – Chelsea to Manchester City (2014)
The Stamford Bridge legend’s contract was up with Chelsea, and it seemed that after 13 years that he was on his way for a new adventure in the Major League Soccer.
Prior to his exit, the 36-year-old told Sky Sports, “Having been at Chelsea for 13 years now, I can’t quite see myself playing in the Premier League anywhere else. Anywhere in England really.”
However, the former England international caused immense controversy when he signed a six-month loan deal with the Blues’ Premier League rivals Manchester City, which later turned into a season-long contract.
5. Ashley Cole – Arsenal to Chelsea (2006)
The left-back was famously nicknamed ‘Cashley’ after nearly crashing his car when hearing that Arsenal were only willing to offer him a measly £55,000 per-week.
This signalled the end of his career with the Gunners, but the move was riddled with controversy given the tapping-up scandal involving Cole, his agent, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon in a London hotel.
4. William Gallas – Chelsea to Arsenal (2006)
There aren’t many who go against the wishes of Jose Mourinho – and succeed – but the Frenchman did just that when forced through an exit from Stamford Bridge by handing in a transfer request. Mourinho was unwilling to let the centre-back leave, but the defender was rumoured to have told the club that unless they granted his exit wish, he would deliberately score own goals.
Gallas became the first player in history to wear the shirt of all three major London clubs when he later moved to Spurs – making him a very unpopular man in the capital.
3. Sol Campbell – Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal (2001)
The former England international began his career with Spurs, and vowed to never join their North London rivals…
However, the centre-back saw out his contract at White Hart Lane, and sealed a free transfer to Arsenal – and Tottenham fans still label him a Judas over a decade later.
2. Robin van Persie – Arsenal to Manchester United (2012)
The Netherlands striker earned his reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable strikers in North London, and Premier League supporters were shocked when he turned his back on the Gunners to seal a switch to fierce rivals Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson handed his new £22.5m signing the no.20 shirt – and, in true fairytale style, the forward fired the Red Devils to their 20th Premier League title in his debut Old Trafford season.
1. Fernando Torres – Liverpool to Chelsea (2011)
Injury problems and the selling of star Liverpool midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano had left the Spaniard miserable with life at Anfield.
The striker forced through a move to Chelsea minutes before the close of the January deadline day, and went on to lift the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League with the Blues. However, despite the silverware, he found that the grass wasn’t greener away from Merseyside, as he never came close to rediscovering his prolific form in front of goal.
