10 Biggest Premier League Transfers That Nearly Happened

Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool was the transfer saga of the summer in 2008. Rafa Benitez had made the Aston Villa captain his number one target, and was even prepared to sell Xabi Alonso in order to make a deal possible.

Barry went public in his desire to leave Villa, causing tension between himself, their fans, and manager Martin O'Neill. However, Villa were determined not to sell for a penny less than what they perceived their captain was worth, rejecting over five bids for the English midfielder.

The saga caused friction between seemingly everyone involved, with Liverpool eventually pulling the plug on the deal when they realised their valuations of both Barry and Alonso were not reflected in the wider footballing world.

Barry would eventually get his big money move in 2009, when Manchester City paid £12 million for his services. The move was not well received by the Villa faithful, as Barry had previously stated the desire to play Champions League football was his main reason for wanting to leave the club.

Had this one materialised, Liverpool would have sold Xabi Alonso for around half of the £30 million they eventually received from Real Madrid in 2009.