Transfer Deadline Day Deals: While Deadline Day is largely about the transfer transactions that teams successfully complete before the January transfer window closes, the storylines can also focus on the agreements that fall through.
Many rumored transactions went through this winter, but some did not.Here’s a summary of all the huge trades that were rumored to be on the verge of completing on Deadline Day but fell through at the final minute.
Transfers that did not take place
Ousmane Dembele (FC Barcelona)
Despite Barcelona’s best efforts to sell Ousmane Dembele to another club before the transfer window closed, no deal came to fruition. The Spanish club attempted everything they could to get rid of Dembele and his salaries, knowing that the 24-year-contract old’s will expire this summer and that he has refused to negotiate a contract extension at a lower cost.
On Deadline Day, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, and, most significantly, PSG were all rumored to be interested in Dembele. However, no deal was reached. At one point, it appeared that moves to Chelsea and PSG were on the cards, but nothing came to fruition.
Instead, Barcelona is now obligated to pay Dembele’s wage for the next six months, unless the two parties reach an agreement to split ways. A public spat between club and player erupted during the January transfer window, with head coach Xavi even getting involved, so there will need to be a reconciliation if Dembele is to play again before the summer.
Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
Manchesterr United has been tough on Jesse Lingard all winter, with speculations about probable destinations circulating around the whole transfer season. Manchester United, on the other hand, was not persuaded to let him go. This despite Lingard having played only 88 Premier League minutes so far this season.
Lingard was said to desire to leave, with Newcastle being the most talked-about suitor, but Manchester United would not be pulled into a trade. There were also allegations during the transfer window that Manchester United was pushing for a “survival fee” to wring millions from Newcastle if Lingard helped them stay solvent, revealing United’s attitude on their star.
The Mason Greenwood scenario appears to have influenced Man United’s decision, as they knew they couldn’t afford to lose another attacking player while not knowing when or if Greenwood would return.
Fabio Carvalho (Fulham FC)
According to a slew of credible rumors, Liverpool was on the verge of signing Fulham teenager Fabio Carvalho, but the clubs just ran out of time.
Carvalho, a 19-year-old Fulham youth product who has exploded onto the scene this season with seven goals and four assists in 18 Championship appearances, has refused to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage, and with his current contract expiring this summer, the Whites were desperate to get a return for his services.
Liverpool was apparently one of several Premier League clubs interested in Carvalho, which explains his hesitation to commit his future to Fulham despite the fact that a move up this summer is nearly certain.
According to reports, Fulham insisted on a $12 million fee in exchange for Carvalho being loaned back to the Whites for the remainder of the season, which Liverpool eventually agreed to. But the two sides just did not give themselves enough time to cross all of their i’s. Carvalho even finished his physical, but will now return to Craven Cottage with no deal in place.
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham have all been connected with Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz this winter, with the 23-year-contract old’s expiring in the summer of 2023. According to rumors, Aston Villa turned down a $40 million approach for Luiz from an undisclosed team.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, reportedly values the player and will begin negotiations on a contract extension.
D’Mani Mellor
Now for the more esoteric Deadline Day deal that didn’t work out. We all enjoy a good paperwork blunder (right, David de Gea?). So here is today’s installment of Admin Errors.
D’Mani Mellor, a 21-year-old Manchester United striker, spent the first part of the season on loan at Salford City, a League Two club owned by former Manchester United players David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and the Neville brothers.
Unfortunately, Mellor only made three league appearances in the first six months and was recalled by Manchester United in search of a better match.
Mellor appeared to be on his way to join fellow League Two team Crawley Town, but the deal fell through.
