Soccer
What are the craziest Premier League transfers that ALMOST happened?
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It's that time of year when the rumour mill is red hot, with players and clubs linked at a rapid pace ahead of the new domestic season.
So far this summer, we've already seen Vinicius Jr and Arsenal do a merry transfer dance, while Bradley Barcola remains one of the big names who could make a move to the Premier League.
With over a month left in the window, there's still plenty of time for more big names to be thrown into the gossip columns, only for a move to never materialise.
Here are nine massive moves from years gone by that ALMOST happened, and how very different it could have been if they had gotten over the line.
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Zinedine Zidane to Blackburn Rovers (1995)
Juventus
Having won the Premier League title in 1994-95, Kenny Dalglish may have moved upstairs at Ewood Park, but he was keen to bolster the champions' options in the middle of the park.
His number one target was French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who was setting tongues wagging at Bordeaux and breaking into the French national set-up.
Zidane even got as far as visiting the Rovers training ground with teammate Christophe Dugarry, with the pair set to make the move to Blackburn.
In the end, Jack Walker kiboshed the deal, and Zidane instead would go on to Juventus and by 1998 was a World Cup winner and regarded as the best player in Europe.
Roberto Baggio to QPR (1995)
A year after starring at the 1994 World Cup and seen as one of Europe's finest frontmen, Roberto Baggio was linked with a move to London.
However, it wasn't Arsenal or Spurs the Divine Ponytail had gathered interest from; no, it was Queens Park Rangers instead.
Managed by former teammate Ray Wilkins, Rangers are said to have explored the possibility of bringing the Italian to Loftus Road in the wake of Les Ferdinand's departure.
Unsurprisingly, it didn't quite work out and instead, the West Londoners went forward with a disastrous deal for Mark Hateley and were relegated that season.
Alan Shearer to Man. United (1996)
Getty Images
The Premier League's record goalscorer only managed to bag one major honour in his career, but it could have all been so different if he had taken up the advances of Man United, not once, but twice.
Upon leaving Southampton in 1992, Shearer spoke with the Red Devils but chose Blackburn and was rewarded by pipping United to the Premier League title.
Four years on and with Shearer now regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe, he again met with Sir Alex Ferguson over a potential move to Old Trafford.
However, when Kevin Keegan and hometown club Newcastle came calling, it was a no-brainer for the striker and he spurned United again to return home to the North-east.
Ronaldinho to Man Utd (2003)
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Ronaldinho inspired a whole generation of footballers, with his super silky skills and unbelievable touch, and the Premier League almost got a taste of the Brazilian.
After he announced he was leaving PSG in 2003, Man United were uber keen on bringing the maverick forward to Old Trafford.
They held talks with the player, and everything looked rosy, until Barcelona flexed their muscles. It was their advances, as the promise of him leading a new era at the Nou Camp, that swayed Ronaldinho to La Liga.
And it was in Barcelona where he promptly won the Ballon d'Or and a Champions League for the Spanish giants.
Rivaldo to Bolton Wanderers (2004)
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Bolton's rollcall of unlikely names read like a who's-who of the era during their Premier League heydays, and they could have added another in the shape of Rivaldo.
Two years after helping Brazil win the World Cup, the skilful playmaker was out of contract and allegedly had agreed to join the Wanderers revolution.
He was even quoted as saying he was looking forward to helping the club get into Europe and it had fans giddy with excitement of seeing him up front with Kevin Davies.
The deal never got done, however, and Rivaldo instead ended up signing for Olympiakos over a move to the Reebok.
Steven Gerrard to Chelsea (2005)
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Steven Gerrard's legacy at Liverpool is almost untouchable, but it could have been so much different if had made a controversial move to Chelsea in 2005.
It was Jose Mourinho who wanted to upset the Merseysiders and bring their captain to London during his first all-conquering reign as Blues boss.
With the chance of silverware on offer, Gerrard was tempted into making the move and linking up with Frank Lampard in the club's midfield.
However, following talks with his family and the backlash over a possible switch, Gerrard stayed loyal to the Reds and went on to become an all-time legend.
Robert Lewandowski to Blackburn Rovers (2010)
(Getty Images)
If Mother Nature hadn't gotten in the way, Robert Lewandowski's goalscoring prowess would have graced the Premier League long before he was breaking Bundesliga records.
Rovers had a deal in place with the striker's club at the time, Lech Poznan, and were set to hash out personal terms with the Polish hitman.
However, Lewandowski was unable to make a flight to England due to a volcano eruption and the deal was never finalised.
He moved to Borussia Dortmund instead, where he established himself as one of Europe's premier goalscorers.
Jude Bellingham to Man United (2020)
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There's been plenty of cases of young players almost getting an early shot at the big time in the Premier League, with Arsenal famously missing out on Yaya Toure and Zlatan Ibrahimovic before they made it big, but Bellingham was already an up-and-comer at Birmingham when United nearly bagged him.
Having broken into the Brum team, the teenager was taken to Carrington and the club pulled out all the stops to convince him United was right move - including chats with legends Bryan Robson and Eric Cantona.
It didn't work; the midfielder ended up choosing Borussia Dortmund and the rest is history.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Man City (2021)
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Before his first spell with Man United, Ronaldo was almost snapped up by Arsenal before a deal was done with the Red Devils, but two decades on it was their city rivals who almost brought him back to the Premier League.
Having conquered La Liga and Serie A, Man City had looked to bring the Portuguese icon back to England with Pep Guardiola leading the charge.
However, after speaking with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo swerved a move to the Etihad after United came in to bring back the prodigal son, where it didn't quite go as planned in the end for the player or club.
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