What happened to star signings your club never made?

Core Impact Points

• Tottenham was linked with Nigerian striker Gift Orban in 2023, but the deal collapsed due to a £25m fee, and Orban has since struggled to regain his form.
• Manchester City was close to signing Brazilian playmaker Kaka in 2009, but he turned down the offer and joined Real Madrid instead, winning several titles and individual awards.
• Blackburn Rovers missed out on signing Zinedine Zidane in 1995, and the French midfielder went on to win the World Cup and European Championship with France.
• Liverpool was interested in signing Kylian Mbappe in 2017, but he joined Paris St-Germain instead, winning several titles and individual awards.
• Fulham made an unlikely £12m bid for Antoine Griezmann in 2014, but the French striker stayed in Spain with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
• The article highlights the complexities of the transfer market and the impact of big-name signings on team performance, providing insights into the careers of top players who could have played in the Premier League.