10 Outlandish Football Transfer Rumours That Didn’t Happen This Summer
A feature covering all the thrills and spills of another eventful and tempestuous summer in the transfer market; saddle up and enjoy the ride!
1. Kaka to Manchester United
To kick things off, we have to turn our attentions to the undisputed champion of outlandish transfer rumours, Manchester United. Every summer, without fail, a laughably far-fetched story about The Red Devils crops up all over the internet, leaving transfer window veterans shaking their heads once again. Stepping into the spotlight this time was former Ballon dOr winner, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, or Kaka as he prefers to be known. Having spent three injury-ridden, unfruitful seasons at Real Madrid, many suspected that Kaka would be on his way out of the club in order to get more first team football and possibly return to his old, swashbuckling ways, but when a rumoured season-long loan to Sir Alex Fergusons troops began to circulate, many eyebrows were raised. Given his age and fitness record, coupled with his dislike for the British climate, as previously exemplified when he rejected Uniteds arch-enemy Manchester City, Kakas likelihood of turning out at Old Trafford was, well, unlikely.
2. Gareth Bale to Real Madrid
Previously touted for a move to the slick-passing Barcelona, 2011 PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale was heavily linked with a move to the La Liga holders. Since his demolition of former Inter Milan right-back Maicon, once dubbed as the worlds best in his position, Bale has been a constant fixture in every British newspaper, and European ones too. His rise to stardom has been a very swift ascendency indeed, and though his capabilities are undoubtedly there for all to see there are a few reasons why it is doubtful Jose Mourinho will be making a call to Tottenhams new chief Andre Villas Boas any time soon. First and foremost, Bale has only recently signed a contract extension at Spurs, committing his long-term future to the club that gave him his chance at the big time. Secondly, the rumoured 40-50 million price-tag on his head will surely deter even the richest of suitors, as there are currently still more accomplished players out there. Thirdly, Real Madrid without question has plenty of world-class depth in its ranks already, and it has to be said that Bale would possibly find himself warming the bench frequently. After all, Real are a club that can afford to bench the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and the aforementioned Kaka without batting an eyelid. In short, it was no surprise that Bale stayed put.