5 players who handed in infamous transfer requests in the Premier League

#2 Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres used a transfer request to get out of Liverpool

Signing with Liverpool in the summer of 2007, Fernando Torres quickly established himself not only as one of the best strikers in the world but also as a new Scouse hero. His goal record was phenomenal – 33 in all competitions in his first season, and then 17 and 22 in the following two – and playing alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, he seemed quickly on his way to legend status.

That all changed in 2010/11. Roy Hodgson had taken over Liverpool that summer and almost immediately there were questions about the future of Torres, who to that point hadn’t really expressed a desire to leave Anfield, even stating his commitment to the club in August. But he started the season struggling for form and fitness, and by the turn of the year, he was cutting an unhappy figure at Liverpool.

Cue a £40m bid from Chelsea in late January, towards the end of the transfer window. Liverpool stood fast and turned the bid down, but Torres responded by handing in a transfer request. The request was immediately denied by Liverpool, who claimed they expected Torres to honour his contract and commitment to the club.

It didn’t put Chelsea off though and just a couple of days later, an improved £50m bid was enough for Liverpool to accept the request and allow Torres to move to Stamford Bridge. Unfortunately for Torres, he hardly made the best of the move, but for Liverpool, it was a telling sign that it was now money, not the reputation of a club which counted most for a player.