10 Most Memorable Failed Transfer Sagas

2. Steven Gerrard €“ Liverpool To Chelsea

''How could I leave after a night like this?€™€™ €“ Steven Gerrard, May 2005.

The question may have been perceived as rhetorical as Gerrard stood on the Istanbul turf, soaked in triumph, sweat and adulation, but perhaps it was just an emotional Liverpool captain thinking out loud. One of the most famous transfer sagas in recent times surrounds Chelsea€™s dogged and relentless pursuit of the Huyton-born icon. In the immediate aftermath of the historic victory over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, Gerrard began to have second thoughts about signing a new four year deal at his boyhood club, contemplating the lure of the increased wages and potential medals on offer at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry€™s offer of a lucrative £100,000 p/wk deal was waived by the 25 year old captain, as he indicated that he wished for the club to accept the £32 million bid they had just rejected from Chelsea. The news that every Liverpool supporter had dreaded was out €“ their prized asset and boyhood hero had become a mercenary in their eyes. Tears were shed and shirts were burned, as the shining beacon of hope for a better future at Anfield was packing his bags for London. Reminiscent of the Luis Suarez transfer of this summer, with the same phrases bandied about by the hierarchy, including €˜the club has to be bigger than any individual€™ and €˜we have done our best€™, Liverpool supporters were going to sleep with tear-stained cheeks. Then they woke up.

''I€™ve committed my long-term future to the club and I want all the speculation to end now. Now I know how much the club wants me. I€™ve only one medal left to win at Liverpool and that€™s the Premiership. That€™s what I want more than anything and Liverpool is the only place I€™ve ever wanted to win it.€™€™ €“ Steven Gerrard, July 2005.