12 Ridiculous Sunderland Transfer Rumours That Never Happened

9. Ariel Ortega

Ariel Ortega swims in the same pool of names as Jan Koller, Robbie Keane, and Charles N'Zogbia. They've all been spotted at Seaham Hall, a luxury spa/hotel in Sunderland, even though it's almost certain none of them have actually been there, with the club never actually using its facilities to thrash out deals with players. Barcelona and Manchester United had both been credited with interest in the Argentine international Number 10, yet rumours of an £11 million bid wouldn't die down, more out of pure hope and desperation than anything official. Ortega came to the Stadium of Light in 1999 with Sampdoria for Kevin Ball's testimonial, but the way the rumours circled, it would seem that he never left and instead continues to live out his days underneath a Jacky White's Market stall.