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Football fans may consider themselves lucky to have witnessed one of the most enthralling transfer windows in a long time. This transfer window had everything - blockbuster moves, shock transfers and transfers that failed to go through.
With the transfer window set to close at midnight on August 31st, we have seen different clubs take different approaches. While some clubs like Liverpool closed out their business early on, others, like Barcelona, left deals until the eleventh hour to finally see completion.
Now that the transfer window has finally closed, let's take a look at five deals that failed to materialize on deadline day.
#5. Dani Olmo - Barcelona
Barcelona's transfer market endeavors can only be described as baffling.
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It is a well-known fact in the football world that Barcelona are strapped for cash at this time. So strapped, in fact, that they had to let go of arguably their best-ever player, Lionel Messi, in order to free up the wage bills.
While Barcelona's first half of the transfer window was welcomed by several free transfers, the second half was rife with outgoings to various clubs. In a window that saw them linked with almost 20 players, one of the most shocking links was to Dani Olmo of RB Leipzig.
The young Spaniard was impressive last season in the Bundesliga and shone on national duty as well. With Sergio Aguero out with injury, it appears Barcelona made a last-ditch attempt to sign an attacking player to help strengthen their squad.
Their offer was met with rejection, as RB Leipzig refused to accept any proposals for Olmo.
#4. Edinson Cavani - Barcelona
Edinson Cavani was yet another shocking name to be linked with Barcelona towards the end of the transfer window.
With Manchester United having announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, many felt they had an abundance of attackers in their ranks. Barcelona were on the lookout for an attacker and Cavani's skill set seemingly matched their requirements.
The deal seemed outlandish from the very beginning, considering Barcelona's financial burden and Cavani's hefty wages. The deal seemed to progress slowly until deadline day, when United reportedly declared that they would not be taking any offers for the Uruguayan.
The deal eventually fell through, with all parties confirming that Cavani would stay at United for the upcoming season.
#3. Joao Felix - Barcelona
Joao Felix was another in a flurry of attackers linked with Barcelona on deadline day.
With Barcelona seemingly desperate to sign a bonafide attacker, they turned to Atletico's Joao Felix as an option. Several factors prevented this deal from going through, such as Felix's high net worth and Barcelona's financial troubles.
The proposed deal was a swap, which would see Joao Felix come to Barcelona in exchange for Antoine Griezmann, who would join Atletico Madrid. With Griezmann still yet to make his mark at Barcelona, it seemed a beneficial deal for all parties involved.
However, the deal did not see fruition on deadline day, as Atletico refused to part with Joao Felix. Griezmann, however, did end up going on loan to Atletico; with Barcelona ultimately signing Luuk de Jong from Sevilla instead.
Having been linked to several attackers from all over Europe, Barcelona finally got a player in the attacking position.
#2. Jules Kounde - Chelsea
Chelsea were linked with Jules Kounde from the very beginning of the transfer window.
With an aging Thiago Silva and a comparatively inexperienced Andreas Christensen in their ranks, Chelsea were in the market for a talented defender who could fit their system. Having identified Kounde as a potential option early on, it still surprises many that he did not join Chelsea.
Known for their shrewd business, Chelsea have built quite a reputation of being killers in the transfer market. It's not often that fans see Chelsea linked to so many players and coming out unsuccessful in their pursuit.
Having sold Kurt Zouma to West Ham, Chelsea seemed set to go all out for the young Frenchman. However, Sevilla refused to negotiate that late into the window and responded that the player would leave only if his release clause was met.
With Kounde's release clause set at €70 million, it seems Chelsea's bid of €50 million was simply not good enough. Sevilla rejected the bid and confirmed that the player would stay at the club.
#1. Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid
The Kylian Mbappe-Real Madrid saga is on display for the world to see.
With Real Madrid interested in Mbappe for over a year now, the deal looks like a match made in heaven. Mbappe has revealed his desire to play for Madrid, and Los Blancos have made it evident that they will do whatever it takes to sign the Frenchman.
However, things simply did not work out. Considering Paris Saint-Germain signed Lionel Messi on a free transfer earlier in the window, many expected Mbappe to leave and finally fulfill his dream of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Mbappe into the final year of his contract, allowing him to leave for a good price seemed the logical thing to do for the club.
Real Madrid reportedly made three bids for the attacker, only to have them all rejected by PSG. With the third bid set at €200 million, fans expected PSG to give in and let Mbappe leave the club. However, all bids were rejected and the club confirmed that Kylian Mbappe would stay at PSG.
While things ultimately didn't work out for Real Madrid, football fans can certainly consider themselves blessed. With at least a year together ahead, the attacking frontline of Mbappe, Neymar and Messi could possibly be the best attacking line-up in football history.
