Transfer window. The only exciting factor about a no-football period that stretches over more than two months. With the transfer window now open, we begin shuffling through the speculations, eager to find even the unlikeliest rumours. All the success or lack of in the last season weighs heavily on the nature of the signings; transfer committees are berated, sporting directors exhorted and stingy owners openly abused.
Each summer has its own share of transfer sagas. In contrast to transfers that are contemplated one day and completed the next, these protracted negotiations stretch over months and perhaps even years.
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Club unwilling to sell, club unwilling to pay, player unwilling to stay, player unwilling to move...there are many ways in which a straightforward transfer can turn into a saga. There is no certainty associated with these; some of them eventually lead to a deal being struck and some get stuck in the pipeline never to see the light of the day.
Donnarumma, Aubemayang, Mbappe et al; the summer of 2017 isn't short of transfer sagas either. Of the numerous prospective moves scattered across Europe, we pick 5 transfer sagas that are unlikely to be realised this summer:
#5 David de Gea to Real Madrid
A saga that came to within a few minutes of completion two years earlier, David de Gea's move to Real Madrid has been unlikely ever since. A week after the whole episode, De Gea signed a four-year contract with Manchester United with an option to extend it for a further year. He has featured in the PFA Team of the Year in both the seasons that followed.
The relations between Real Madrid and Manchester United, traditionally strained ever since Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer, have worsened in recent days over a deal for Morata. With Real Madrid holding firm on their exorbitant asking price for Morata, United wouldn't be too lenient if the prospect of a De Gea transfer comes up.
With transfer priorities in other areas of the pitch, expect Real Madrid to walk away from a potential deal, especially since it does not look like De Gea will force the club's hand.
#4 Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United
A saga that came to a premature end with Atletico's transfer ban, Griezmann had been widely touted to take Paul Pogba's place as the most expensive player in the world this summer. Manchester United were definitely willing to spend the money, even more so after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's departure created a void in the side.
Atletico were in talks with Alexandre Lacazette as a potential replacement and rumours emerged that United were willing to outstrip even their own lofty standards in the transfer market this summer.
The stars seemed to be aligning, it was only a matter of time...and then the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld their transfer ban. Griezmann, out of respect for his beloved club, said, "It is a difficult moment for the club, for the players, and it would not be right to leave now. I have spoken with the directors."
It could still happen next summer – just not now.
#3 Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona
With Kylian Mbappe's late-season emergence, Dembele has been momentarily reduced to "The other wonder kid from France" tag. But don't let that deceive you – he completed the most number of dribbles in La Liga last season, provided more assists than any one bar Emil Forsberg, and was behind only Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo for Champions League 2016-17 assists (despite being knocked out in the Quarter-Finals).
Having lost out on signing him from Rennes last summer because they couldn't offer first team football, Barcelona turned up at Dortmund's door this time around. "No way," Sporting Director Michael Zorc's reply was emphatic.
Dortmund fans, enjoy him while you still can. As early as next summer, he could be looking up to and lining up alongside Lionel Messi.
#2 Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool
There it is. If you are a Liverpool fan, you read the title of this page and paused. Van Dijk deal is not yet off, surely?
Even after Liverpool released an unequivocal statement apologising to Southampton and ending their interest in Van Dijk, speculation has refused to die down. Klopp wants him, surely? Van Dijk will force a move, surely? Southampton will accept the eye-watering sum they are offered, surely?
Also read: 5 signings that would win Liverpool the EPL title
Alas, it seems extremely unlikely to tell the truth. Two months back, Van Dijk signed a six-year contract with Southampton running until 2022. Liverpool are extremely weary of any potential action the FA may take. Chelsea and Manchester City know that any bid they put in will simply set the stage for Liverpool to sneak in and steal the player.
Look elsewhere for a centre-back, Reds – this one looks highly improbable.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United
The beauty of this section of the article is, it would have applied just as well for any one of the past 4-5 transfer windows. It sounds so perfect a script; Cristiano Ronaldo coming back home to his beloved fans to play the final few years of his career, his former club willing to spend any amount of money to land him, Ronaldo himself never ready to assertively rule out a return.
So when the news broke in mid-June that Ronaldo is "outraged" at unfair treatment by Spanish tax authorities and determined to quit Real Madrid and Spain, the tabloids knew which club to link him to. The "Welcome back to United" videos were readily uploaded to youtube as is the norm. Sports blogs went a step further, trying to accommodate Ronaldo in Mourinho's United tactical setup.
Also read: All the records held by Cristiano Ronaldo
But yet again, it is just a flavour-of-the-month story that gets the publisher marginally more reads for one week or so. The reports have already subsided hardly three weeks on from the initial story.
Move on, United fans. Cheer up, it seems you are on the verge of signing Lukaku right under Antonio Conte's infuriated nose.
