Getting it right in the transfer window can make the difference in a hunt for a precious European place, a relegation battle and even a title charge. Premier League clubs have scouts all over the world searching for talent. More often than not, players of a high standard are enticed to English shores with the promise of fame and fortune that few leagues in the world can rival.
Transfer windows also provide a great deal of entertainment for football fans. Speculation in the media is rife, and the soap opera of transfer deadline day is often just as exciting as a match itself.
One player who could be on the move soon is Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, reportedly a target for Manchester United this summer. This despite Premier League clubs having a less than impressive record with former Barcelona defenders. The likes of Gerard Pique, Marc Muniesa and Michael Reiziger have come and gone in recent years, making little impact.
As a message of warning to the powers that be at Old Trafford before they think about splashing the cash, here are a few of the Premier League transfers that never should have been.
Alberto Aquilani
Initially signed from Roma as a like-for-like replacement for midfield Maestro Xabi Alonso, Alberto Aquilani never established himself at Liverpool due to an ankle injury in his first season. He was quickly sent on loan to Juventus, and then had spells at AC Milan and Fiorentina. He’s now playing in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon; a long way from being “potentially the best player in the world” as predicted by Italy legend Francesco Totti.
Adrian Mutu
Romanian striker Adrian Mutu was one of the first big-money signings of the Roman Abramovic era at Chelsea. A year later the £15.8 million man tested positive for cocaine and was swiftly sacked from the club.
Undoubtedly a talented player, Mutu went on to have spells in Italy with Juventus and Fiorentina, and Chelsea was left to write off the huge money they had invested. Mutu now plays in the Indian Premier League, and is a perfect example of a club not doing their research properly before making a big signing.
Roberto Soldado
Tottenham Hotspur got a little excited in the summer of 2013. Gareth Bale had been sold to Real Madrid for a world record fee, and the bank balance had never looked so healthy. Apt then, that they decided to go out and spend over £100 million on seven new players.
Although only three of those still remain at the club, possibly the worst of all was Roberto Soldado. He was supposed to be £26 million worth of proven Spanish international, but instead Spurs got a striker who appeared bereft of confidence even before things started to go wrong, only capable of scoring from the penalty spot. 76 appearances and 16 goals later, he left in the summer and is now back in Spain with Villareal.