The biggest hijacked transfers of all time

Something can occur throughout a switch window, and that has confirmed to be the case after Arsenal swooped in beneath the noses of rivals Tottenham to signal Eberechi Eze.

It regarded as if Eze, who was launched by the Gunners as a youngster, can be signing for Spurs from Crystal Palace, with an settlement near being reached. Nonetheless, after an harm to Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz, Eze phoned Mikel Arteta earlier than he signed for Tottenham, selling a transfer to the Emirates as an alternative.

Over time, we now have seen some dramatic twists and turns within the switch market, with some extra high-profile hijacked offers involving the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.

1

Cristiano Ronaldo

Man Utd hijack Man Metropolis

In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo was on the seek for a brand new house after spending three years with Italian giants Juventus.

A return to England was on the playing cards, and apparently, a transfer to Man Metropolis was being labored on. Nonetheless, Sir Alex Ferguson, who labored with Ronaldo at Man Utd, obtained wind of the deal and instantly phoned the celebrity ahead, persuading him to return to Outdated Trafford as an alternative of the Etihad.

2

David Beckham

Actual Madrid hijack Barcelona

David Beckham ultimately left Man Utd in 2003 for Actual Madrid, nevertheless, on the time, it regarded as if the England legend can be becoming a member of Barcelona as an alternative of their fierce rivals.

The Pink Devils and people on the Nou Camp even instructed the press that an settlement was reached for Beckham, nevertheless, Madrid made a late play and managed to lure the midfielder to the Bernabeu.

3

Eberechi Eze

Arsenal hijack Tottenham

In August 2025, Tottenham thought they had been about to signal Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a big-money deal. Nonetheless, the boyhood Gunner contacted Mikel Arteta earlier than signing on the dottled line for Spurs, asking if there was any probability of transferring again house to the purple aspect of north London.

A number of hours later, Arsenal agreed a £67.5m cope with Palace and Eze was formally introduced as a Gunner days later.

4

Ronaldinho

Barcelona hijack Man Utd

With Barcelona lacking out on Beckham, the Catalan giants would get their very own again on the Pink Devils in the identical switch window.

Man Utd noticed Paris Saint-Germain star Ronaldinho as a alternative for Beckham and had been working to convey the Brazilian to Outdated Trafford. That was earlier than Barca got here knocking, with Ronaldinho as an alternative transferring to the Nou Camp the place how would go on to win La Liga and the Champions League.

5

Alfredo Di Stefano

Actual Madrid hijack Barcelona

One of many earliest main hijacks within the switch window noticed Actual Madrid beat Barcelona to iconic striker Alfredo Di Stefano.

In 1953, Barcelona thought they’d signed Di Stefano, who would even play in a pre-season sport for the Catalan giants. Sadly for them, the Spanish Soccer Affiliation blocked the switch resulting from points over registration rights.

Actual Madrid then stepped during which humiliated Barca, with Di Stefano happening to attain greater than 300 targets, profitable eight La Liga titles.

6

Paul Gascoigne

Tottenham hijack Man Utd

A narrative that Paul Gascoigne has instructed himself loads of occasions is his proposed transfer to Man Utd again in 1988.

On the time, Gazza was the most effective English prospect round, which led to Sir Alex Ferguson making a transfer to convey him to Outdated Trafford. A contract was even agreed for Gascoigne to depart Newcastle for Man Utd, however Tottenham got here in on the final minute, providing him and his household a home which gave the impression to be a deal maker.

7

John Obi Mikel

Chelsea hijack Man Utd

A weird switch hijack that lasted a 12 months noticed John Obi Mikel be a part of Chelsea as an alternative of Man Utd from Norwegian aspect Lyn.

In 2005, Man Utd introduced a transfer for Mikel and had him holding a Pink Devils shirt at a press convention earlier than Chelsea stepped in saying they’d an settlement of their very own with the participant.

Chelsea as an alternative ended up reaching a settlement with each Lyn and Man Utd, paying £12m for the Nigerian midfielder, who would go on to win 11 honours at Stamford Bridge throughout an 11-year spell.

8

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea hijack Liverpool

In 2023, Liverpool had been on the right track to signal midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a document £110m charge.

That was till the participant heard of curiosity from Chelsea, with the Blues stopping a transfer to Anfield on the final second by agreeing a £115m cope with the Seagulls. Caicedo additionally signed an eight-year deal in London.

9

Robinho

Man Metropolis hijack Chelsea

The primary main signing of the Sheikh Mansour period at Man Metropolis again in 2008 was an enormous one, with these on the Etihad hijacking Chelsea’s transfer for Actual Madrid winger Robinho.

A Chelsea deal was to this point down the road that the Blues had been already promoting shirts with Robinho’s identify on the again, one thing which angered Madrid who pulled the plug on a switch and offered him to Metropolis as an alternative.

Issues didn’t precisely go to plan for the Brazilian in Manchester, although, and he was offered to AC Milan two years later.

10

Mykhaylo Mudryk

Chelsea hijack Arsenal

Chelsea have grow to be well-known for hijacking transfers on the final minute, and that’s precisely what they did to convey Mykhaylo Mudryk to Stamford Bridge as an alternative of a transfer to the Emirates with Arsenal.

The Gunners had been in talks over a deal for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger for weeks in late 2022 and throughout the 2023 January switch window, agreed private phrases with Arsenal. A charge was near being agreed with Shakhtar, nevertheless, Chelsea got here out of nowhere and gazumped the Gunners, with an up entrance cost of £62m.