10 Most Controversial Transfers Of The Premier League Era

9. Michael Owen To Man Utd

Like Frank Lampard, Michael Owen was a legend at his club. And like Lampard, that reputation has been tarnished following a controversial move to a direct rival. Owen's move was more controversial however. A Liverpool hero, the Englishman left the red half of Merseyside aghast when he signed for their fierce rivals Manchester United in 2009. Owen was a Kop idol after scoring 158 goals in 297 appearances for the Reds between 1996-2004 and, despite leaving to play for Real Madrid and then later Liverpool's league rivals Newcastle, that legacy was still in tact. That was until 2009 when he left the Magpies and joined United on a free transfer. There are two unwritten rules for Liverpool players. One is never play for Everton, the other is never join United. Yet he made 52 appearances for the Red Devils, and his name was muck on Merseyside thereafter. At least he never played for the Toffees.