'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Thibaut Courtois, the summer transfer window has been a carnival of surprises. Based on the FIFA World Cup performances, the transfer window equalized into a gradient of promising football players, who delivered a spectrum of the 'beautiful game' to the entire world.
The likes of Jorginho, Thomas Lemar, Fred and Alisson Becker are in newer pastures, but what of those world class players who waited anxiously for the entire season desperate for a switch?
These are six of the 'gems' that the footballing world has produced, who couldn't quite grab the opportunity of moving to a new club. From record-breaking deals to disappointment, here are the six transfer deals that should have happened this summer, and how the teams who grabbed them could've benefited.
Trending
An insight into how these six transfer deals would've made the difference if they were completed.
#6 Gareth Bale - Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur
'Fast enough to burn the pitch'. Bale wasn't quite known for who he was up until the 2012/13 season, that marked his most successful run as a Spurs player; Within a matter of months, the extremely quick Welsh winger grabbed a deal with the most successful club in the history of the sport, making him, at that time the most expensive football player on the planet, with a price tag of £85.1 million.
With instant results, the winger delivered exceptional performances and continued to do so. Breaking records and winning four Champions League titles in a short span of five years (and one at the end of his debut season), the 29-year-old surely is a part of the 'golden generation' of Los Blancos.
However, the final of this year's UEFA Champion's league spoke differently, as the former Tottenham Hotspur player, after escaping the shadow of former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring two unbelievable goals in Kiev, asked for a switch.
"I want to play football every single week. Which isn't the case here. Hence, I am open for a move" Gareth Bale at the post match press conference of the UEFA Champions League Finals.
Sudden interests were shown not only from the Old Trafford but also from his previous team. Bale was set to leave for either of the sides. However, being a Manchester United player wouldn't have been the best of choice, as the star-studded lineup of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Alexis Sanchez had no place for another winger.
Which meant that a move to the Spurs was on the cards and had the potential to set fire, as their attack would've been truly complete, and the Spur's title hopes could have come alive.
With all the speculations on one side, Cristiano Ronaldo's exit forced the winger to stay back at the Bernabeu. His new role at Real Madrid is more promising, as he wanted it to be and thius, Bale is no longer up for sale.
#5 Willian - Chelsea to Manchester United
Widely regarded as one of the most hardworking, quick and technically gifted midfielders in the world, this Brazilian forward is a true force of fury. A maestro in terms of playmaking and goalscoring, the 30-year-old has been going strong every single season and every single game.
Combining himself with the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, and Ngolo Kante, the former Shakhtar winger managed to win two Premier League titles in quick successions. However, under Antonio Conte, with Hazard, Pedro, and Morata being the real attacking gears for their teams, Willian seemed to be spending more time on the bench and was seen coming on for either of these three forwards. It was time that this attacking marvel needed a switch.
Being a part of the current Manchester United roster would've helped him. As his role would've been more prominent under Jose Mourinho's guidelines. Playing in the spot of Jesse Lingard as the #10, this season Willian had the capability of delivering the much-needed experience to the current Manchester United lineup.
However, the new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri had other plans, as he decided to use the Brazilian International in the upcoming games, putting all the transfer speculations in the grave, obliterating all hopes for Manchester United.
#4 Kalidou Koulibaly - Napoli to Chelsea
A strong, power-packed defensive lineup plays an important role in order to intimidate and deny the waves of attacks offered by the opposition.
For Chelsea, however, everything seems to be fine but the back-wall. With a not so consistent David Luiz, a doubtful Gary Cahill, a busy Cesar Azpilicueta, and a fresh Rudiger, the blues' defensive lineup need a reset. Sure enough, they are enjoying an unbelievable run due to their iconic midfield lineup, and a world-class attacking front three; The defensive stats aren't quite up to the mark.
By the end of the FIFA World Cup, under the realm of Maurizio Sarri, the Italian manager was looking forward to hiring an old acquaintance. A 6'4 beast of a Senegalese centre-back, who isn't just known for his size, but also his pace, leadership qualities and an unparallel playmaking ability from the back of the defensive line.
Such was the impact of this powerhouse, that the Polish coach Jerzy Brzęczek just couldn't break him during Poland's clash with Senegal. However, the 27-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly just seemed to be too important for his current team, as they put a £80million price tag on their most important defender.
Sarri's hopes of securing the maestro collapsed as the club couldn't spend a fortune, because it would disrupt the other transfer plans of Chelsea. Had this happened, the Blues would've been the most complete team in the Premier League, and probably the world.
#3 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - Lazio to Juventus
Serbia's national team couldn't quite get past the group stages in the World Cup, but that didn't contradict the fact that they had a monstrous lineup, comprising the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Nemanja Matic, Dusan Tadic and the much awaited, anticipated and the priciest player of their squad, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Serbian attacking midfielder, who currently plays for Lazio in the Serie A is a true reflection of world-class, consistent and natural playmaking abilities that the beautiful game comprises. Such is the resilience of this 23-year-old that he has drawn the attention of clubs like Manchester United, Inter, AC Milan and to top them all, Real Madrid.
But as the transfer window reaches its end, the Serbian midfielder seems to stay put in his current club. A move to Juventus could've been the difference maker. After all, a top of the table midfielder is what they truly want.
With Cristiano Ronaldo being the top gamble of the decade, Milinkovic-Savic would have been the trump card, joining forces with Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi, the Italian giants would then be the true competitors for Madrid and other teams, as they still are.
Savic isn't a part of Juve, but Max Allegri isn't quite ready to give up on him. 2019 could decide his fate, up until then, he is here to stay.
#2 Antoine Greizmann - Atletico Madrid to FC Barcelona
Over the decade, Atletico Madrid have done a miraculous job of producing some of the most important players of the modern era. From the rise and fall of Fernando Torres to a powerhouse known as Diego Costa, and many more. As a matter of fact, they still stand as the toughest competitors to both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, none could withstand the impact of this young forward, ranked among Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Greizmann is not just a potential future player of the year candidate, but also a merciless goal-scoring machine.
Such was the case that this World Cup winning Frenchman was being chased by Manchester United and FC Barcelona. Although the 27-year-old showed interests in the Barcelona deal, his club, on the other hand, didn't want to get rid of the charismatic enigma.
After much speculations and a handful of options, the left forward was all set to replace former Barca player Neymar Jr. However, somewhere during June, the Atletico Madrid forward decided to stay at his current club. No matter the sum, or the wage, he was here to stay. Leaving Barcelona back to a square one.
His inclusion at the Camp Nou would have easily made them the best side in the world, bringing former glories from the Guardiola era. With Phillipe Coutinho inter-playing Greizmann from the left-mid position, it would've been a disaster for the rivals, forming a trio with Suarez and Messi too would have ignited fear for the opposition.
#1 Eden Hazard - Chelsea to Real Madrid
As usual, Hazard needs no introduction for what he is capable of, the maestro of inter-linking passing and goalscoring at the Stamford Bridge has fallen victim to speculations all around the globe. After all, he is one of the top dogs of world football and football in general.
The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, however, was a turning point for this 27-year-old Belgian. After a remarkable performance at the FIFA World Cup, earning him the third place in the competition, the Chelsea forward was one of the candidates to replace CR7 at the Bernabeu. The others being Kylian Mbappe - PSG and Neymar Jr. also from PSG.
But why Hazard? Well, pretty obviously, his play style corresponds to that of Ronaldo, being a playmaker and a goalscorer at the same time, the Belgian international would've been 'the' signing for Los Blancos. Even though Hazard was ready for the initiative, the Garden of Eden wasn't too happy with the decision he was about to make.
With Maurizio Sarri keeping Eden Hazard as an integral part of his plans ahead of the season, it was in his hands to not let him go, and so did it happen. Rejecting all the offers, Eden Hazard decided to stay with the blues.
However, his arrival at the Bernabeu would have made the difference for the entire team, as a new era would have been up ahead, bringing up a bright future and responsibility. With Real Madrid showing interests in Man City's Raheem Sterling, Hazard can soon fade away from their radar, however, 2019 could be the last resort for Los Blancos to grab the Belgian!
