Jesse Lingard was confirmed as a Nottingham Forest player last night. It’s a transfer that has taken even the most optimistic fan by surprise. It did get us thinking about the most surprising transfers of all time. Here’s our top 10 most surprising transfers of all time.
10. Lionel Messi, Barcelona to PSG (2021)
If you were to let one of the greatest ever players to grace the field to leave, you wouldn’t let them leave for free surely? That’s exactly what Barça did in 2021 with Lionel Messi.
After the usual summer transfer market speculation, Messi and Barça agreed a deal to extend his time at the club he’d been at since his teenage years.
Unexpectedly, LA Liga financial regulations prevented the deal being completed and Messi was available for free.
After various rumours, Messi joined PSG and former teammate, Neymar.
9. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Stoke to Paris Saint-Germain (2018)
Choupo-Moting scored five goals for Stoke City in the season they were relegated, so when he was confirmed as a PSG players with the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, heads turned.
Choupo-Moting did chip in with an important goal in the Champions League, and joked after with Neymar about the Cameroon striker saving the day.
Despite only being a backup throughout his time at PSG, he went on to sign for Bayern Munich after PSG. We think we need to make his agent our agent.
Neymar gave the Man of the Match award to Chupo-Moting. 👏😍 pic.twitter.com/0PVwLZOG8i
— Bet9ja (@Bet9jaOfficial) August 13, 2020
8. Nicklas Bendtner, Arsenal to Juventus on loan (2012)
Somewhat of a cult hero, Nicklas Bendtner was never a prolific striker, but people loved him.
Following a poor loan spell at Sunderland, the next obvious step was a loan deal to Italian giants Juventus.
Lord Bendtner probably enjoyed his year in Turin, but on the field it was yet another unsuccessful spell.
7. Johan Cruyff, Ajax to Feyenoord (1983)
Casting an eye back to 1983 and the great Johan Cruyff, arguably one of the best players and managers of his time.
After many successful years at Ajax, the club decided to not renew his contract with the player aged 37.
Cruyff made the decision to join Ajax’s fierce rivals, Feyenoord. Despite being in his late 30s, Cruyff still helped Feyenoord to a league and cup double in his first season.
Cruyff is still remembered as a legend at Ajax, with the ground now named…
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