Top 5 failed transfer deadline day deals

In a hectic summer transfer deadline day most clubs were able to get deals for key players over the line, but a few deals were scuppered in the final hours of the market.

Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Al Ittihad and AC Milan were all affected as they failed in their bids to land one final target before the end of the European transfer window.

The most heartbreaking story of the summer transfer window is undoubtedly Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha’s failed move to Bayern Munich.

Fulham had reached an agreement with Bayern Munich for the transfer, while the player had also accepted a contract proposal from the Bavarians and had even taken pictures in his new club’s kit after completing a medical, but the deal fell through as the German transfer window was shut before details could be fully ironed out.

This left Palhinha with no choice but to return to Fulham after already saying his goodbyes and the midfielder will be forced to watch Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and the Champions League from the comfort of London.

Embattled Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood received a chance to pause his nightmare in England after he was linked with a late move to Serie A side Lazio.

However, just like Palhinha, the country’s transfer window shut hours earlier than the English window, and Greenwood’s move was scuppered as he and Lazio could not find a suitable agreement for what was supposed to be a loan move.

The English striker did eventually get a move out of Old Trafford, with LaLiga side Getafe willing to take a bet on the Manchester United academy graduate, who is looking for avenues to revive his stalled career after serving a club-imposed suspension that lasted nearly two years.

Tottenham’s Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojberg was linked to a number of clubs towards the end of the transfer window and came closest to joining Atletico Madrid in Spain.

Despite the dramatic late efforts of Atletico Madrid, the deal was simply too difficult to do for both sides.

All three parties involved were reportedly keen to see the deal through, but Tottenham were forced to pull the plug after Atletico Madrid decoded not to put a compulsory buy clause in the Danish midfielder’s contract that would have seen him certainly earn a spot with Everton.

Zambian forward Patson Daka’s late attempts to leave Leicester City in the EFL championship were ultimately unsuccessful, after two moves collapsed which will force the 24-year-old forward to spend the nearest future at the King Power Stadium. 

Daka attempted to secure a move to AC Milan and then, Nottingham Forest, but both moves proved abortive, as Leicester City failed to reach a concrete agreement with either the Serie A giants, or the Premier League relegation battlers.

Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah has seen a possible move to Saudi Arabia rejected by the Reds who did not fancy a late search for a replacement and turned down Al Ittihad’s bid in excess of £100m for the Egyptian.

Unlike other failed deadline-day transfers, Salah could still get his move with the Saudi Arabian transfer window still open for another six days and Al Ittihad increasingly desperate to secure his signature.

An improved bid for Salah could tempt Liverpool to consider selling the Egyptian who is reportedly keen on making the switch to Saudi Arabia, with the possibility of becoming the highest-paid player in the world an enticing prospect.