11 MOST CONTROVERSIAL TRANSFERS OF THE 21st CENTURY

Today we will take a look at my top 11 most controverial transfers of the 21st century. Visit and subscribe to our partner Sourav Bose  for more videos and sports news.

1) GK – IKER CASILLAS
Real madrid to Fc Porto


After finishing the season trophyless, Real Madrid President Perez was desperate to change something in his team which was as a result of countless defeats by their rivals. The result of the change was Casillas’s exit. In an interview, Casillas cried while leaving the club. One would think that Real Madrid will retire the legend after almost 20 years of goal keeping for Real Madrid, starting from Madrid team C in 1998 to team B in 1999. Casillas’s parents claimed that he was being forced out of the club by president Perez.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) LEFT BACK – ASHLEY COLE
Arsenal Fc to Chelsea Fc

Ashley’s move to Chelsea in 2006 turned him into a legend of the game. Reportedly the English left back signed for the blues after a year of secret talks with Chelsea representatives and manager Jose Mourinho. Cole later said that quote”i wouldn’t look back and say i regretted it, no.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) CB – THIAGO SILVA
Ac Milan to PSG

Thiago was publicly criticised by football pundits and managers for switching to a rather easy league. His 42 million euro move to Paris made him the costliest defender at that time.
The saga took over a month to complete.

 

4) CENTER BACK – LEONARDO BONUCCI
Juventus to Ac Milan

The “de facto” best defender in the world was sold to Milan for 35 million euro. Reports claim that his apparent rift with club manager Massimilano Allegri is the reason behind all this. And now, Bonucci is supposed to lead the Rossoneris next season.

 

 

 

 

5) RB – SOL CAMPBELL
Tottenham to Arsenal

During his time at Spurs, they had never finished over the 7th position and he was not getting the opportunity to play UCL or win trophies in his career.
Despite Spurs offered him a deal to become their highest-paid player ever, and months of public assurances that he would not leave, he siigned for Arsenal.

 

 

 

6) LEFT WINGER – ANGEL DI MARIA
Real Madrid to Manchester united

His drop in form brought rage in unite boo boys who then on many occasions were protected to throw pebbles and gravels onto his Manchester residence.
Fearing for his family’s safety, he missed the pre season tour of 2015 and signed for PSG under Van Gaal’s absence.

 

 

 

7) CM – JOHN OBI MIKEL
Lyn oslo – Manchester united Chelsea Fc

Mikel’s arrival in England was married by a huge controversy among two english heavy weights.
Mikel held a press conference wearing a Manchester united shirt and said that he had signed for the Red devils.
Chelsea then complained to the governing body that talks were held between Mourinho and Obi Mikel. Mikel and his agent disappeared after that.
Nine days later Mikel and his agent appeared in London and revealed that he was forced to sign a contract with united, but his heart was set on joining Chelsea.

 

 

 

 

8) CENTER MIDFIELDER – CESC FABREGAS
Arsenal Fc to Fc Barcelona to Chelsea Fc

Cesc’s Barca return was confirmed when Barcelona’s defensive duo Pique and Puyol forced Barca shirt on Cesc during Spain’s world cup celebrations in Madrid. After rjecting several bids from Barca, Arsenal accepted to sell their captain to them, a year later after that incident.
After been booed there he joined Chelsea, Arsenal’s rival.

 

 

9) RW – DAVID BECKHAM
Manchester united to Real madrid

The main reason of this transfer was beckham’s bitter relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson at that time.
Sir Alex was not happy with David’s activity outside football pitch and David was accused of lacking spirit.
After the infamous locker room boot spat between the duo, Sir Alex was adament of letting David go because of his believes of being biger than the team or the club itself.

 

 

10) ATTACKING MIDFIELDER – LUIS FIGO
Barcelona to Real madrid

After sealing a record move, Figo became the new focus of the El Classico, with Barca fans feeling betrayed by his transfer and turned against him.

2 years later, during a game at Camp Nou. Figo was subject to the Barca fans’ire. Along with the bottles, coin and lighters, a pig’s head was thrown near the corner flag, traitor and scum signs adorned the stadium, effigies were burnt in the crowd close to where Figo was standing).

 

 

 

11) CF – ROBIN VAN PERSIE
Arsenal Fc to Manchester united

When his transfer rumors started, Arsenal wanted to make him their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract. After his move to old trafford, Arsenal fans felt betrayed and termed him traitor and mercenary.
Arsenal fans argument was that the club had stood behind the player during his injury problems but when the club needed its best player to stand with them, he left for greener pastures.
The tensions rose further when he celebrated after scoring a goal against Arsenal after being fed up of the hostile reception by the gunners fans.

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