2023 summer transfer window came to an end on the 1st of September across Europe with several clubs securing their desired acquisition while some deals failed to materialize.
The transfer window has wrapped up until January 2024 with the regular plague of big-money contracts and even some eye-catching stories that did not come to pass.
Manchester United and Liverpool made important differences to bolster some areas in their team while Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and the rest have strengthened their desired positions.
Many big-name players moved away from La Liga, the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Samuel Chukwueze while some failed to join the league.
The 2023 summer transfer window was indeed an interesting one with players securing big-money move to the Middle East while some players saw the move collapse in the blink of an eye.
Futballnews brings you the top ten deals that failed to materialize during the 2023 summer transfer window.
Mohammed Salah to Saudi Arabia
In moves that did not occur, Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad fell flat with a 150 million pounds bid for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool made their stance crystal clear that the Egyptian striker was not for sale with the instant refusal of a proposal that could have fetched them £150 million from Al-Ittihad.
The Reds’ perspective was that the former Chelsea player was unavailable and the case was assumed closed at Anfield, but the confusion may be that it is not considered closed in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s transfer window has not yet closed until 7 September. There are speculations that Al-Ittihad would return with an offer around 200 million pounds in a trial to make Liverpool glint.
The Reds have no ambition of gleaming as they would not be able to re-invest any cash until January 2024 at the fastest and manager Jurgen Klopp has also made it open that the incredible Egyptian captain, who has 187 goals in 308 appearances for the club, would not be traded.
However, that may not stop the Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad from bringing another even more mouth-watering offer for Mo Salah.
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid
The Freshman made headlines since the beginning of the summer transfer window with several reports that he may join the Spanish powerhouse.
Kylain Mbappe made it clear that he won’t sign a new contract with Paris Saint Germain which also made the club exclude him from the rest of his teammates that played in the pre-season games.
The former AS Monaco striker was also linked with a move to several top European clubs like Chelsea. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia outfit Al Hilal also made an eye-catching offer of 300 million pounds to secure his acquisition but the 2018 World Cup winner turned down the deal.
In the end, Kylian Mbappe stayed with PSG following the meeting he held with the club’s president Nasir Al Khilafi.
Lionel Messi to FC Barcelona
The former FC Barcelona frontman joined Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami following the expiration of his contract with PSG.
Lionel Messi was speculated to be moving back to Spain while Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal also checked on the Argentine situation with a 320 million pounds offer.
Barcelona’s interest in bringing Messi back to the club failed and Saudi pursuit also collapsed which landed the 2022 World Cup winner in America.
Neymar Jr. to FC Barcelona
Neymar was rumored to be returning to Barcelona, but the deal failed due to the club’s financial crisis.
The Brazilian playmaker later left PSG for Saudi Arabia in a deal worth 77.6 million pounds and penned a two-and-a-half years deal with Al-Hilal.
Harry Maguire to West Ham United.
The former Leicester City defender fell out of favor with Manchester United and the Red Devils were eager to let go of him with a 30 million pounds offer from West Ham United.
The deal failed due to Maguire’s demand from the Old Trafford outfit. The 30-year-old demanded £15 million payoff from Man United which prompted his move to the Hammers to collapse.
Moises Caicedo to Liverpool
Liverpool thought they were the favorite to sign the Ecuadorian midfielder after Brighton & Hove Albion accepted their 110 million pounds offer.
Caicedo turned down the offer and joined Chelsea in a deal worth 115 million pounds.
Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich
Joao Palhinha had returned to Fulham after his transfer to Bayern Munich collapsed despite undergoing a medical with the German powerhouse.
Marc Cucurella to Manchester United
Manchester United were keen on Marc Cucurella’s service due to Luke Shaw’s unexpected muscle injury. The Red Devils backed out of the race to sign the Chelsea left-back following his performance in the EFL Cup match and United ended up signing Sergio Reguilon.
Conor Gallagher to Tottenham
Tottenham made 40 million pounds offer for the Chelsea midfielder but the deal failed due to the Blue’s higher demand.
Chelsea wanted £45 million from Spurs and the London club could only afford less than their demands, therefore, Gallagher will stay at Stamford Bridge after being priced out of a move to Tottenham.
Mason Greenwood to Lazio
Greenwood made headlines concerning his future at Manchester United with several clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old.
Lazio wanted to sign the Man United academy product and the deal collapsed due to United’s delay in processing the necessary documents scuppered the deal, leaving Lazio disappointed.
The English player later secured a season-long loan move to Getafe.
