Top 5 transfer hijacks in football history

One of the exciting aspects that fans look forward to every season is the football transfer window. The fanatics wait in anticipation to see the big names sign for the major clubs which arouses the competition and fulfills wishes of millions who dreamed of watching a particular player feature for their favourite club.2014/15 season’s summer transfer window has been a memorable one so far where we have witness some big names unexpectedly shift to new territories. Manchester United managed to land Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich while Angel Di Maria left Old Trafford to try his luck with French champions PSG. Some strong rumours fell apart eventually most notably Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, who signed a new contract at the Bernabeu and decided against moving to England with United.But all of that was overshadowed by the transfer saga involving Barcelona forward Pedro who was hijacked at the last minute by Chelsea from United. The 28-year-old was strongly linked with the Red Devils as van Gaal was in pole position to acquire the Spaniard. But Chelsea sneaked in late and captured the World Cup winner by paying off 21m. While this transfer seize is definitely the talk of the town, it isn’t the first time when such a situation occurred.Here are some of major transfer hijacks of the past

#1 Pedro - Barcelona to Chelsea

Pedro won 20 titles with his former club Barcelona

The latest transfer turn to happen in the footballing world that disappointed the Manchester United fans was that of Barcelona forward Pedro. After the departure of Di Maria from United to PSG, manager Louis van Gaal was on the lookout for a replacement for the Argentine and Pedro was recognised as a solution to his problems.

In order to land the Spanish international to Old Trafford, United were required to meet Pedro’s buyout clause of £22m which would trigger his release from Catalonia. And the Red Devils were on course to do exactly that as speculations of the 3-time Champions League winner close to agreeing a deal were doing rounds.

But Premier League adversaries Chelsea spoiled the party at the last minute for United as the West Londoners managed to get hold of his signature before the 20-time English champions could, and paid off £21m in order to do so.

There were talks about Pedro rethinking his decision to join Van Gaal’s squad after former Blaugrana team mate Victor Valdes suggested him to reconsider his move especially after the former fell out of favour with the Dutch manager.

Nonetheless, the World Cup winner chose the Blues over United and it’s a move that brought out frustrations among the United faithful.

#2 Alfredo Di Stefano - River Plate to Real Madrid

Di Stefano won five European cups with Real Madrid

For the Santiago Bernabeu faithful, Alfredo Di Stefano is considered as an immortal figure who was instrumental in shaping up the club’s history. The Argentine who played for Real Madrid since 1953 won numerous trophies including an incredible five consecutive European cups with the legendary Blancos outfit. However, the Don as people call him, could have been a Catalan legend instead as Madrid’s biggest rivals Barcelona were the ones who were supposed to sign him in the first place.

In 1953, Di Stefano came very close to signing for the Blaugranas after his club River Plate, who claimed they held his registration rights, negotiated with Barca which led the La Liga giants to believe that they had secured his signing.

However, Stefano had played for Millionarios between 1950-53 and the Spanish Football Federation stated that they had to agree for this deal to go through. With the transfer temporarily in halt, Madrid swooped in as club president Santiago Bernabeu worked out a deal with Millionaris and signed the forward and RFEF added to the confusion by ordering him to play for both clubs by alternating between seasons.

But that agreement didn’t work out as Marti Carreto, Barca’s president resigned and Di Stefano’s contract was ripped up. The player originally destined to go to Barcelona landed in Madrid and went on to have a legendary career with the capital club.

#3 Robinho - Real Madrid to Manchester City

Robinho was initially supposed to sign for Chelsea

Robinho’s time in Real Madrid can be remembered as a tenure that was inconsistent over a period of three seasons. The Brazilian prodigy shared the Galacticos dressing room with the likes of Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo and Raul. However, failing to live up to his potential in Spain, the forward in search of new pastures landed in England as Manchester City signed him for a £32.5m.

But the Brazilian was originally headed towards West London as Chelsea were supposed to purchase him. But City swooped him right under their noses with their last-minute bid and Robinho ended up as a high-profile transfer for the Etihad outfit.

Regarding him snubbing Chelsea, Robinho had said, "They then said that I could leave, but not to a team who would be a rival in the Champions League. Manchester City were not a threat to Real Madrid." That will be pleasant reading to all those Manchester City fans idolising their new signing. "I thought I was going to Chelsea, then Manchester City made me an offer which was good for me and my family."

The presentation to the media was a memorable one after he famously said: "On the last day, Chelsea made a great proposal and I accepted."

#4 Roy Keane - Nottingham Forest to Manchester United

Blackburn couldn’t sign Keane due to lack of office staff

After making a name for himself at Nottingham Forest, Roy Keane caught the attention of the Premier League giants and Liverpool were in pole position to capture the Irishman in 1993. However, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sneaked in and executed one of the most impressive transfer coups ever.

Kenny Dalglish, who was the Blackburn Rovers boss then, never really got along with Ferguson, and this transfer worsened the relationship between the two. Apparently, Keane had agreed to a move with Rovers and Dalglish tried to get the paperwork through late on a Friday afternoon. But Ewood Park offices had no staff present to complete the paperworks and they decided to hold it off till Monday.

But Ferguson couldn’t wait and made a call to Keane that weekend itself successfully convincing Keane to change his mind. United paid £3.75m and seized the midfielder at the last moment. Keane said later in his book that Dalglish 'went crazy', ranting: 'Nobody does this to me, nobody does this to Kenny Dalglish!'

#5 Willian - Anzhi to Chelsea

Willian moved to Chelsea even after completing his medical with Tottenham

The first hijack that Chelsea were involved in included Brazilian winger Willian who was stolen at the last minute by Jose Mourinho from Tottenham Hotspur. The Anzhi Makhachkala forward was captured by the Blues after they splurged £32m even after completing a medical with Spurs which infuriated the North Londoners.

Willian was about to sign for Villas Boas’ (manager then) side for a deal of £30m but Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, got the better of Daniel Levy (Spurs owner) by using his contacts in Russia as he personally knew fellow Russian oligarch, Suleyman Kerimov, who was the Anzhi owner. And after successful negotiations, Willian chose Stamford Bridge as his destination which was for a slightly higher price that what Spurs had offered.

The anger boiled up further as Spurs board members claimed that Chelsea didn’t want the Brazilian but bought him nonetheless just for weakening their squad so that they wouldn't be much of a competition to Mourinho. The Portuguese, on the other hand, didn't hide his delight after he was able to land the Brazilian at the Bridge.