4 expected transfers that failed to materialise this summer

The transfer window has provided us with some form of entertainment this summer as European powerhouses go head-to-head in their bid to secure the finest deals in the market. We have witnessed a lot of drama, news, rumours, and surprises as several top players continue to be linked with speculation regarding their future.

A number of superstars have already completed their dream moves this summer, with Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo taking the lead after leaving Real Madrid for Juventus in a deal worth £88million in July. The likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Gianluigi Buffon, Arturo Vidal, Riyad Mahrez, Jorginho, Alisson Becker and Thomas Lemar have all switched clubs during the transfer window too.

While the window has produced a lot of successful transfer deals this summer, it has also witnessed a number attempts proving otherwise. In fact, some of the deals that we expected to see this summer never came to be due to various reasons. Therefore, let us take a look at 4 expected transfers that failed to materialise this summer:

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#4 Malcolm to Roma

Barcelona hijacked Roma's move for Malcolm

In what has proved to be the most complicated transfer of the summer so far, Catalan giants FC Barcelona sent shockwaves across the globe by signing former Bordeaux winger Malcolm under the noses of Roma last month.

Malcolm was initially expected to join the Serie A outfit after both clubs had announced that they agreed on a £33million deal for the young forward. In fact, many fans were already waiting for the player's arrival in Rome, having heard that he was on his way to the airport.

However, Barcelona came in at the last minute and hijacked the deal for the Brazilian superstar - raising plenty of angry reactions from pundits and supporters alike. Following his successful medical at the Camp Nou, the 21-year-old completed a £36.5 million switch to Catalonia and has even already represented his new club in the International Champions Cup where he netted a goal against none other than Roma themselves.

#3 Jorginho to Manchester City

The playmaker snubbed City to meet his former manager at Chelsea

The drama that took place between Manchester City and former Napoli midfielder Jorginho has been one of the biggest misses in the transfer window so far. Pep Guardiola is one of the few managers across world football that usually get what they want in terms of transfer business. However this time, he missed out on his top target despite going very close to securing the Italian's signature.

A Champions League encounter between Manchester City and Napoli last season saw Jorginho earn the interest of the Spaniard, and the tactician did not waste time in his pursuit of the deep-lying playmaker. In fact, Guardiola reportedly tabled a £43million bid to convince Napoli into parting ways with their prized asset during the early stages of the transfer window.

After reports had emerged initially that both clubs had reached an agreement for the player to move to the Etihad Stadium, it happened that things went the other way as Jorginho decided to link-up with his former manager, Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea instead - a move that got Pep Guardiola fuming.

#2 Nabil Fekir to Liverpool

Fitness issues blocked Feir's Liverpool move

The search for Philippe Coutinho's replacement led Liverpool into considering a number of top players to sign during the transfer window. In their attempts to replace the Brazilian playmaker, who left for Barcelona back in January, Jurgen Klopp highlighted Olympique Lyon attacker Nabil Fekir as a suitable option to strengthen his squad in the final third ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Following several weeks of rumours and endless speculation, it appeared as though Fekir would eventually end up a Liverpool player this summer. Both clubs had reportedly agreed on a £52.8million deal that would see the France international complete a famous move to the Premier League.

However, things went sideways when the 25-year-old showed up for his medical at the club. It was reported that Fekir had underlying fitness issues which were not previously highlighted, eventually forcing the agreement between the two clubs to be terminated.

#1 Eden Hazard to Real Madrid

Hazard was expected to replace Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Real Madrid lost their talismanic forward, Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in an £88million deal this summer. After leading Los Blancos to a third consecutive UEFA Champions League triumph, the Portuguese international decided it was time to end his relationship with the club, having spent nine successful years in the Spanish capital.

It initially looked like a great opportunity for Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard to complete his dream move to Real Madrid and replace the attacker. In fact, the Belgian himself did not hesitate, as he quickly reiterated his desire to make the switch to the Santiago Bernabeú in an interview while representing his nation during the World Cup in Russia.

But to everyone's surprise, a deal is yet to materialise between the Chelsea superstar and the European champions. Club president Florentino Perez appears to have dismissed his Galacticos transfer policy and instead is trusting the likes of Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Isco to keep the team rolling.

Moreover, it is also believed that Maurizio Sarri has successfully convinced the Belgian to stay after taking over from Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge this summer - not least given their high asking price.