In English football, this unfortunate scenario has occurred repeatedly, and the trend seems poised to continue in the 2023 season.
Today, we delve into six notable instances where English clubs successfully hijacked prominent transfers, leaving Arsenal fans wondering if history will repeat with Declan Rice.
In 2006, a young John Obi-Mikel had already inked a contract with Manchester United. However, Chelsea’s persuasive tactics led to a change of heart for the Nigerian midfielder, ultimately hijacking the deal and redirecting him to Stamford Bridge.
Read also: Declan Rice, 3 Other Major Transfer Hijacks That Might Happen This Season.
When Italian side Lazio intervened, Paul Gascoigne’s anticipated move from Tottenham to Manchester United in 1992 hit a roadblock. Lazio managed to hijack the transfer at the eleventh hour, luring Gascoigne to play for them in Serie A before his eventual return to England.
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The 2021 transfer window was filled with surprises, including Manchester City’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus. However, Manchester United, Ronaldo’s former club, spectacularly hijacked the deal, securing the Portuguese star’s return to Old Trafford.
Read also: Manchester United: 4 Players Tipped to Make the Move to Old Trafford.
Tottenham’s plans to sign Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 were dashed when a sudden twist occurred. Chelsea, unexpectedly entering the picture, executed a last-minute hijack, eventually reaping the rewards of the talented Brazilian’s services for seven fruitful seasons.
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In 2022, Everton seemed poised to acquire the services of Arnaut Danjuma from Bournemouth. However, Aston Villa swooped in unexpectedly, hijacking the deal and securing the promising winger’s signature for their ranks.
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One of the most recent instances of a hijacked transfer involved Mykhailo Mudryk, set to join Arsenal from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023. However, Manchester City emerged as a late contender and effectively hijacked the deal, leaving Arsenal to rue the loss of their primary summer target.
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As the transfer saga surrounding Declan Rice unfolds, Arsenal fans are uneasy. Recent reports suggest Bayern Munich has entered the fray, potentially hijacking the Gunners’ pursuit of the talented midfielder. With Rice topping Arsenal’s wish list this summer, losing him to a rival club would significantly blow their aspirations.
While the threat of a transfer hijack looms, only time will reveal whether Arsenal can navigate the challenges and secure Rice’s signature.
As history has shown, the transfer market can be unpredictable, and clubs must be prepared for the unexpected twists and turns that may lie ahead.
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