5 EPL transfer sagas that had fans tearing their hair out

Here we are at the beginning of another summer transfer window, with many deals completed and many more to be tied up before deadline day. Players, clubs and agents are already posturing and making noises to initiate talks with the prime example at this point being a potential deal for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos to join Manchester United. The Ramos saga has already dragged on a little, with Real insisting the player isn’t for sale whilst many well-informed journalists suggest the central defender absolutely wants to leave. It’s this sort of uncertainty that really grates on those that pay their hard-earned money; the fans. We take a look at five transfer sagas that had fans tearing their hair out by the end.

#5 Luis Suarez - Liverpool to Arsenal

Luis Suarez’s buyout clause was the main talking point during the saga

Luis Suarez was involved in a transfer farce with Arsenal in a case of what proved to be misinformation, or so it seemed. Arsene Wenger, often accused of not delving deep enough into the Gunners’ money pit, shook the Premier League when he made an audacious swoop for the controversial Uruguayan striker.

No doubt acting upon information from the player’s agent, Wenger made an offer of £40 million + £1. The extra pound was crucial given that it transpired that the Gunners were under the impression that anything over the £40million threshold would force Liverpool to allow Suarez to talk to the north Londoners.

They were wrong.

Suarez’s attempts to play the media card also backfired. Both Brendan Rodgers and John W Henry stood firm, even after Suarez publicly demanded that he be allowed to leave.

It’s often forgotten that Suarez was actually suspended at the time of the bid, for biting Branislav Ivanovic and was no doubt looking for a new start elsewhere. The saga had even prompted Liverpool owner John W Henry to tweet this:

What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

— John W. Henry (@John_W_Henry) July 24, 2013

#4 Robinho - Real Madrid to Manchester City

Robinho thought he was signing for Chelsea when he arrived in England

Poor old Robinho. The Brazilian was so pleased to be coming to England that he announced to all and sundry how pleased he was to be joining Chelsea! Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had also just taken over at the Blues. They had also agreed a fee of £28.4m before Man City stepped in with a higher bid.

Back in 2008, with the move already signed and sealed, he had to politely be reminded that it was in fact Manchester City who had secured his signature. It wasn’t the best standpoint to endear himself to both his new employers and fans.

Perhaps the ex-Real Madrid star had become confused. After all Chelsea were known to be interested in his services and indeed, had been noted as being the most likely destination for the player upon his eventual move to the Premier League.

There was also a point when it seemed he might even end up staying in Madrid, but with the new money available at City, Mark Hughes wasted no time in paying a British record £32 million and usher in a new era for the Citizens.

#3 Peter Odemwingie - West Brom to QPR

Peter Odemwingie was famously interviewed live about his failed move to QPR on Sky Sports News deadline day coverage [Image credit: www.dailyrecord.co.uk]

Transfer Deadline Day in England at the end of January 2013 was one of the most interesting days thanks to Peter Odemwingie. Rumours had swirled around throughout the month that the player had wanted to leave his club, West Bromwich Albion.

He had even travelled from the Midlands to London to secure a supposed deal with QPR. With the clock ticking, Odemwingie, captured by the Sky Sports News cameras, proudly announced that he would be joining the Super Hoops.

In so doing, he riled WBA who hadn’t sanctioned the move, and nor did they do so. The club refused to discuss the move with the Londoners meaning that Odemwingie had to return to West Brom with his tail between his legs.

He was subsequently fined £75,000 and forced to train with the reserves. Although he made a comeback of sorts for the club, mainly used as a substitute, he eventually got his move away, to Cardiff City, at the end of the campaign.

#2 Steven Gerrard - Liverpool to Chelsea

Steven Gerrard was the one player that got away for Jose Mourinho

It’s not often that Mourinho doesn’t get his man. That “special” quality endears him to players at the highest level. A manager prepared to take all of the media heat that comes with top level sport, shielding his players in the process whilst providing the highest level of tactical acumen on the training pitch.

It was likely that just those qualities persuaded Steven Gerrard to agree to join the Blues just six weeks after arguably his best moment as a Liverpool player – winning the 2005 Champions League against AC Milan. The reason? After finishing 30 points behind Arsenal the year before, Gerrard’s perception was that the club were stagnating under Gerard Houllier and showed no signs of becoming competitive in the near future.

Thoughts were already in his mind to leave at that stage but new manager Rafael Benitez managed to talk him round. However, after the incredible success in Athens Gerrard was none too happy at the lack of a reasonable offer of a new contract.

"Steven has told us he will not accept our offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave," a Liverpool club statement had read. Meanwhile, Gerrard himself had issued a statement which said: “This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make.”

The Reds promptly rejected a £32 million bid from Chelsea which led to Gerrard slapping in a transfer request. As the subsequent furore erupted on sports news programmes, with Liverpool supporters protesting at both the clubs’ Melwood training ground and at Anfield, the Liverpool captain was forced to virtually barricade himself in at home.

Within the space of 24 hours, chief executive Rick Parry had offered Gerrard the contract he desired, and his transfer request was subsequently withdrawn.

#1 Ashley Cole - Arsenal to Chelsea

Ashley Cole made the switch from Arsenal to arch rivals Chelsea

Ashley Cole signed for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the summer of 2006, after a highly damaging previous 18 months. Journalists from English tabloid newspaper The Sun had originally uncovered evidence of a clandestine meeting between Cole and Mourinho in a London hotel in January of the previous year.

So serious were the repercussions of the meeting that both Mourinho and Cole, as well as Chelsea, were fined for partaking in it. And with it went any last ounce of respect that Arsenal had for their English international left-back.

Angry at the £55,000 per week offered by the Gunners to extend his contract, he was immediately christened 'Cashley Cole' and was regularly booed by his home supporters. By the end, Arsenal’s fans just wanted him out but the saga still rumbled on for a while before the north Londoners were entirely happy with the deal.

Cole finally made the move to Stamford Bridge with French defender William Gallas going the other way.