We had the same reaction when reading these, Lionel…
With the transfer window now slammed shut we look at some of the reported deals that clubs were said to be keen on, but looking back on were actually quite ridiculous to ever suggest.
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(Image) Top Ten January Premier League Signings In Their New Club Shirts Including Arsenal Defender, Chelsea Wide-Man and Man United Keeper
Here’s the top 10:
Saido Berahino (West Brom to Liverpool)
A good idea in prospect until you realise the man who may be being tasked with trying to keep West Brom afloat would cost the best part of an arm and a leg with his “English Premium” added on to his transfer fee.
Though if anyone was going to spend silly money on a player who turned out not to be worth it, you’d think it would be Brendan Rodgers.
Ridiculousness: 3/10
Danny Ings (Burnley to Liverpool)
It seemed like quite a good idea from Liverpool to sign Ings and then loan him back to Burnley. Keeps him playing whilst making sure he remains sweet with the Clarets supporters and hopefully keep them in the league.
Just one problem: it was quickly discovered it was actually illegal under Premier League rules to buy a player then immediately loan him back.
Ridiculousness: 5/10
Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton to Arsenal)
The Frenchman has long been touted as a midfield target for the Gunners, but could you really see Arsene Wenger spending the best part of £25 million on a player he could get at a cheaper rate in the summer?
Ridiculousness: 4/10
Paul Pogba (Juventus to Various)
Despite reports linking Pogba which way and every way, and even one claiming he had been left out of the Juventus squad and was close to agreeing a move away, Mino Raiola definitively ruled out any transfer activity for his client until at least the summer.
Ridiculousness: 6/10
Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal/Chelsea)
Was always going to go in the summer when his release clause comes into effect and he’s available for a paltry £20 million.
Ridiculousness: 6/10
Nathaniel Clyne/Mats Hummels/Seamus Coleman (Various to Manchester United)
United were linked with a monumental swoop for Mats Hummels and either Clyne or Coleman, but whilst the headlines suggested the club were targeting the defenders now, this was always a deal intended for the summer.
Ridiculousness: 8/10
Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain to Arsenal)
Cavani keeps being linked with a move to the Emirates, but Arsenal have so many players available for their front three they actually had to loan out three specialist strikers just so they would get game time.
So why would they sign one more? Well, actually, if anyone could neglect his team’s deficiencies for another attacking player, it’s Arsene…
Ridiculousness: 7/10
Eqequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint Germain to Liverpool)
After becoming the only club left in for Lavezzi, according to reports, Liverpool were preparing for a last-minute deal to snap the Argentine up from PSG.
Well, that didn’t happen. Either because they just weren’t able to get that pesky paperwork finalised or it was never going to happen. We’ll let you decide which one it most probably is.
Ridiculousness: 7/10
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid to Manchester United)
Florentino Perez calmly said before the window open that Gareth Bale would never leave Real Madrid, so naturally it led to headlines suggesting he would be leaving in January.
Ridiculousness: 9/10
Lionel Messi (Barcelona to Chelsea)
Chelsea might deny they have the financial capabilities for such a deal but considering they just sold Andre Schurrle for more than they bought him for, you’d think they could negotiate anything they wanted.
However, Messi leaving Chelsea was a rumour that persisted, but probably shouldn’t based on that fact that it was determined to happen based on in-fighting at the Catalan club and the Argentine following people on Twitter.
Concrete Stuff.
Ridiculousness 10/10