MONDAY night’s transfer deadline day saw teams scrambling to complete the final additions to their squad before the window slammed shut.
While Crystal Palace completed the signing of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves for £48m, they were also involved in two moves that never came to fruition.
Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta looked destined to pull on the famous red and black stripes of AC Milan after the Rossoneri agreed a £30m deal with the Eagles.
However, AC Milan later pulled out of the deal following an issue with the 28-year-old’s medical.
Crystal Palace themselves then pulled out of another deal; failing to complete the required documents that would have seen Dwight McNeil switch Merseyside for South London on an initial loan.
These failed transfers brought to mind some famous examples of moves that nearly became reality.
David De Gea to Real Madrid
The transfer deal that brought the fax machine back into the public’s conscience.
Real Madrid had agreed a fee to bring the Spanish goalkeeper back to his homeland, with Keylor Navas heading in the opposite direction.
However, when finalising the documentation, the tax forms Real Madrid sent to La Liga’s office never made it there, with a dodgy fax machine the culprit.
Nabil Fekir to Liverpool
While plying his trade with Lyon, and fresh off a World Cup win with France, Nabil Fekir became the subject of a £53m bid from Liverpool.
The silky playmaker agreed personal terms and even completed his introductory media duties with the Reds.
However, a scan during his medical revealed on old knee injury that scared Liverpool into cancelling the deal, much to the disappointment of Fekir.
Robert Lewandowski to Blackburn Rovers
One of the most infamous ‘nearly’ transfers in football history.
A fresh-faced 19-year-old striker at Lech Poznan, Lewandowski was subject of a bid from Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers.
With a flight booked to the North East, the Polish goalscorer seemed destine to walk out at Ewood Park.
The move was then disrupted by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull which spewed ash across Europe, grounding all flights.
Lewandowski went on to enjoy major success at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, collecting many honours along the way.
How different things could have been if a volcano hadn’t erupted.
