Five of the most unforgettable transfer hijackings

It’s vital not to count your chickens before they hatch when it comes to football transfers. An offer is not done till everything is signed and sealed, with a number of sagas causing late hijacks.Tottenham Hotspur look set to be on the getting end of a dramatic hijacking, with North London equals Toolbox having actually swooped in to sign top target Eberechi Eze. Late interest from Toolbox has actually turned Eze’s head, leaving Spurs with a sour taste.As Eze nears his move to the Gunners, we have actually remembered

5 of English football’s most remarkable transfer hijackings.Gascoigne, Keane, Willian: 5 memorable transfer hijackings Paul Gascoigne Paul Gascoigne was brave– or foolish– enough to renege on a contract with Sir Alex Ferguson to join Manchester United in 1988. Manchester United believed they had actually won the race to sign England’s the majority of interesting talent, with Gascoigne validating his objective to move to Old Trafford post-Ferguson

‘s summer season holiday.” We talked to him the night before I went on vacation, “Ferguson recalled.”He said,’Go and enjoy yourself, Mr Ferguson, I’ll be signing for Manchester United. ‘Sir Alex Ferguson’s most significant transfer regret? Paul Gascoigne– In 1988, Gazza assured to sign up with Manchester United, however Spurs swooped in with additional perks, including a house for his household. Fergie believed United might’ve formed his profession for the better. What could have been?– Sunday, 23 March 2025″So I went on my holidays, however Martin Edwards [then chairman] sounded and stated I’ve got some bad news– he signed for Tottenham.”The North Londoners had actually dived in with a remarkable deal, persuading the then-Newcastle midfielder to transfer to the capital. With incentives such as a home for Gazza’s

parents and, oddly, a sunbed for his sis, he snubbed Manchester to sign for Tottenham.Roy Keane Manchester United were on the best side of a transfer hijack in 1993, after taking in to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Roy Keane from under the noses of Blackburn Rovers.Keane had actually agreed personal terms with Blackburn, with the Irishman shaking hands with supervisor Kenny Dalglish on a deal. Nevertheless, the documents was not settled before the closure of the Blackburn workplace for the

weekend, enabling Manchester United time to turn Keane’s head.A discussion with Sir Alex Ferguson saw Keane back out of the Blackburn offer to join Manchester United.Remembering the legend on the ‘Adhere to Football’ podcast

, Keane said:”What I ought to have done [after consenting to sign up with Manchester United] was ring Blackburn immediately, but I dragged that out. A week later I was going on vacation to Ayia Napa with a few lads from Forest and Kenny [Dalglish] sounded me.

” I informed Kenny that I must have connected with him faster, I was a bit embarrassed, and he went mad.

He stated something like, ‘You’re a f *** ing joke, no one does this to Kenny Dalglish,’ however he was right. We shook hands on the deal, and he said that in Scotland, if you shake hands that’s it. If things had actually been done that night [when I first accepted join Blackburn], I would have signed for Blackburn. They have to take obligation

too.”Kenny was going mad, and I remember saying to him that I was going on vacation, he stated, ‘I’ll f *** ing discover you’. I remained in Ayia Napa for the week examining my shoulder, I swear. I’ve seen Kenny since, brilliant guy and huge respect.” John Obi Mikel Maybe the most remarkable transfer tug-of-war of perpetuity. John Obi Mikel’s’move ‘to Manchester United even saw the midfielder presented as a brand-new signing, only for a legal battle to take place that ended in him joining Chelsea.The Nigerian had concurred a pre-contract handle the Red Devils, which would have seen him sign for the club after turning 18. Nevertheless, Chelsea swooped in to bring Mikel on trial, before sending the youngster to Norwegian side Lyn Oslo. Both groups, at

this phase, believed they had an agreement to sign him.An amazing back-and-forth followed, with FIFA and the FA included to settle the situation. Chelsea eventually paid Manchester United a payment fee and the midfielder invested 11 years in West London. The process of arriving, nevertheless, was absolutely bonkers.”Fergie started searching for me cause he didn’t know where I was!”Someone needs to turn this into a 5 part drama series pronto– Tuesday, 5 August 2025 Willian Tottenham Hotspur believed Willian was a sure thing in August 2013, with the winger even completing a medical with the North London side.However, Chelsea hijacked the transfer while Willian was still at Tottenham’s training school. A late relocation from the Blues saw them win the race for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger to leave Spurs shocked. “I remained in London for two weeks, waiting, awaiting Tottenham to decide due to the fact that they remained in a scenario where Gareth Bale remained in the process of leaving them to join Real Madrid, “the 34-year-old informed The Athletic” Liverpool were also interested. I wasn’t sure about Chelsea. They ‘d

revealed interest however it wasn’t so firm initially. Chelsea

began the day

I was going to sign the contract with Spurs. I was at Tottenham’s training ground to settle the deal when the call came. My agent said to me,’Chelsea just called me and they desire you’. I said,’OK, I wish to go there!’.”Then I left the training ground and went back to the hotel. It was a difficult situation because I ‘d concurred basically to join Spurs, however in my mind was just Chelsea.

When the deal in between Anzhi and Chelsea was concurred, I just wanted to go there. It was the very best choice of my career.”Mykhailo Mudryk Mykhailo Mudryk’s future dominated the headings throughout the 2023 January window.Arsenal had been clear favourites to sign Mudryk, who has shone during the Champions League project with Shakhtar Donetsk. The interest was shared, too, with the Ukrainian winger going public with his interest in the transfer on social media.Then came Chelsea. A huge offer from the Blues won the race to sign Mudryk, in a deal that might reach ₤ 88.5 m with add-ons. As part of an impressive recruitment

drive under Todd Boehly, Chelsea stole Mudryk from their London competitors at the last minute.After a bad spell at Chelsea that is now clouded in long-term unpredictability, it’s a hijack the Blues probably regret.Read– Arsenal hijack Tottenham move for ₤ 60m midfielder See more– Five of the most random football transfers made this summer season Follow The Football Faithful on Social Network: View publisher imprint Share this post