6 Transfers That Dramatically Collapsed As Hakim Ziyech’s Move to PSG Hits the Rocks

6 Transfers That Dramatically Collapsed As Hakim Ziyech’s Move to PSG Hits the Rocks

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM
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  • Hakim Ziyech’s loan move from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed in dramatic fashion
  • Despite suffering a last-gasp heartbreak with his move to Paris, Ziyech is not alone with transfers that collapsed in that manner
  • AC Milan legend Kaka, Man United goalkeeper David de Gea, and Lewandowski have all missed out on huge transfers

Panic purchases, fax machine breakdowns and player meltdowns, transfer deadline day is often filled with a cocktail of emotions.

Though the drama of the January transfer window comes nowhere near the summer transfer sequel, this year's deadline day has somewhat managed to provide a Hollywood type of conclusion.

Hakim Ziyech, David De Gea, Kaka, transfer, deadline
Hakim Ziyech headlines a high-profile list of football stars whose nearly-done transfers dramatically failed to materialize. Photo credit: @acmilan@ChelseaFC @ESPNFC
Source: Twitter

Transfers always have a chance of collapsing and many players have experienced that pain in the past and it continues to date.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, Robert Lewandowski and now Hakim Ziyech have all experienced the pain of transfer collapse.

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Sports Brief takes a closer look at some of the transfers which have fallen through, despite appearing all but certain to happen.

1. Hakim Ziyech to PSG

The latest to experience an anticlimax to an almost-done transfer move is Morocco's Hakim Ziyech.

Ziyech, who has blown hot and cold since joining Chelsea a couple of seasons ago, was on the cusp of sealing a loan move to PSG and was even spotted in the French capital.

However, his quest for more play time and a change of environment spectacularly collapsed on deadline day.

Ziyech's current club Chelsea are accused of sending the wrong paperwork three times in a clear attempt to sabotage the deal from happening, per the Athletic.

2. David de Gea to Real Madrid

Perhaps the mother of all collapsed transfer deals is David de Gea's move to Real Madrid.

The Spaniard shot stopper was one of the best, if not the best, goalkeepers in 2015 and naturally caught the eye of Real Madrid.

His £29 million move had raged on all throughout the window and was set to put pen to paper on deadline day only for a faulty fax machine to rob him of a chance to join Madrid.

"Reports say the De Gea paperwork came in at one minute past midnight in Spain and therefore did not reach La Liga on time," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told Sky Sports.

3. Nabil Fekir to Liverpool

The then 25-year-old midfielder, who had helped France win the 2018 World Cup, was reportedly on the brink of joining Liverpool.

Recapping how his move to Anfield failed to see the light of day, the now Real Betis man said:

"I passed all the interviews, I spoke with Jürgen Klopp, he told me that he loved me, we all did it and, when we were about to sign, there were problems with my representative and the negotiation broke down," Fekir told Estadio Deportivo.

4. Kaka to Manchester City

2008 Ballon d'Or winner Kaka almost made a £100m move to Manchester City in January 2009.

Negotiations between Man City, his representatives and AC Milan were almost done but the Brazilian was disinterested leading to the eventual collapse of what would have been a remarkable transfer.

"It came to the point where all of the numbers and the finer details had been discussed. The offer was on the table. The only thing separating City and I was my final word," Kaka, who later joined Real Madrid explained to FourFourTwo.

5. Paulo Dybala to Tottenham

Dybala's eyewatering pay demand stood between his way and a move to north London.

Tottenham Hotspur nearly sealed the services of the Argentine playmaker after reaching the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.

According to reports the player was excited about a new adventure at Spurs and Juventus were ready to sell him - but ultimately the deal never materialised.

6. Robert Lewandowski to Blackburn

Lewandowski was inches away from signing for Blackburn however a natural disaster denied him an opportunity to play in the Premier League.

The former Bayern and Dortmund marksman was going to travel to England to visit Blackburn's facilities, but then the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted and stopped air traffic in Europe for several weeks.

Despite his failed move to Blackburn, the 34-year-old striker has become a bona fide legend at Bayern Munich and is currently replicating his goal-scoring prowess at his new club Barcelona.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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