10 Most Memorable Failed Transfer Sagas

9. Karim Benzema - Lyon To Man United

Sir Alex Ferguson has before stated that a player gets one chance to turn down a club like Manchester United. However, as we know from their repeated ventures into the fray for Alan Shearer during the 90s that the hard-nosed Scot has made a few exceptions in the past. Which is why it came as no great surprise when Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema revealed in 2012 that Manchester United had been trying to sign him €˜for the past three or four seasons.€™ Not least because it was the worst kept secret in French football.

In 2008, Manchester United were the kings of Europe and looking to add to their wealth of talent at their disposal. With a disgruntled Cristiano Ronaldo pining for the grandeur of the Santiago Bernabeu, the Mancunian giants made an enquiry about the availability of the 20 year old Lyon striker.

Following a series of ongoing flirtation between club and player, in which Ferguson and Benzema each expressed admiration for each other, Manchester United once again returned in the summer of 2009, with a more serious proposal. However, at this stage it was too late, as they were gazumped by the free-spending power of Florentino Perez at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Unperturbed, Man United have since attempted to lure Benzema from Madrid, but to no avail. It simply looks like a lost cause at this stage, as the Frenchman looks to have finally settled in Spain after a slow start.