Not every missed transfer is a loss. In fact, some are blessings in disguise.
Some football decisions can be compared to strategy games you’d find when you play bitcoin casino. Knowing when to pull out and avoid unnecessary risks can save teams millions. Here are seven of the biggest dodged bullets in football history.
1. Mykhailo Mudryk to Arsenal
In 2023, Arsenal was eager to secure the signature of Mykhailo Mudryk, but Chelsea swooped in with a bigger offer to seal the deal. At the time, it seemed like Arsenal had missed out on a future star. However, Mudryk’s underwhelming performances for Chelsea have made Arsenal thankful they didn’t splurge on the Ukrainian winger. Instead, they signed Leandro Trossard, who has consistently delivered clutch performances for the Gunners.
2. Alexis Sánchez to Manchester City
When Alexis Sánchez left Arsenal in 2018, both Manchester clubs were vying for his services. Sánchez opted for Manchester United, drawn by their higher salary offer. This turned out to be a blessing for City, as Sánchez underperformed drastically at United, leaving for Italy the following year. City avoided paying a massive wage for a player whose form had clearly dipped.
3. Nico Williams to Barcelona
Barcelona was linked with Spanish winger Nico Williams after the Euros, but he decided to stay at Athletic Bilbao. It was a fortunate miss for Barca, as Williams has struggled with fitness issues this season, managing only two goals in all competitions. Meanwhile, Raphinha has thrived, contributing 26 goal involvements in 21 matches, proving he remains a key player for the club.
4. Nabil Fekir to Liverpool
In 2018, Liverpool was on the brink of signing Nabil Fekir as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho. The deal fell through at the final stage, reportedly due to concerns over a knee injury. While Fekir went on to play for Real Betis and later moved to the UAE, Liverpool’s squad-building strategy flourished without him, culminating in Champions League and Premier League successes.
5. Harry Maguire to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola attempted to sign Harry Maguire in 2019, but Leicester City’s high asking price deterred Manchester City. Instead, Manchester United paid a world-record £80 million for the defender. Maguire’s error-prone performances have been widely criticized, making City’s decision to step away from the deal look like a masterstroke.
6. Jesse Lingard to West Ham United
West Ham was keen to sign Jesse Lingard permanently in 2022 after a successful loan spell. However, Lingard opted to join Nottingham Forest, drawn by their lucrative offer. His season at Forest was a disaster—he failed to score or assist in the Premier League. West Ham avoided a costly mistake and were vindicated as Lingard’s form plummeted.
7. Antony to Liverpool
In 2022, Liverpool reportedly considered signing Antony as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, who was linked with an exit. Salah’s decision to extend his contract until 2025 saved Liverpool from pursuing Antony. Manchester United signed the Brazilian winger for £95 million instead, but Antony has failed to justify his hefty price tag, making this one of the most significant dodged bullets in recent football history.
Are there more transfers where clubs dodged a bullet? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more football insights.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Premier League
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
