It’s typically mentioned that soccer supporters solely care about their facet successful however, on some events, fan stress has made golf equipment like Liverpool, Manchester United and PSG suppose twice about their new signings.
Whereas many supporters can overlook their participant’s private shortcomings in the event that they’re banging within the targets or successful trophies, some potential transfers are only a step too far.
And it really works each methods; there have been situations the place a participant has determined to remain at a membership following fan protests about their potential departure.
We’ve recognized seven potential transfers which have been ended due to fan protests, starting from world-class stars to essentially the most unpopular footballers of their technology.
Marko Arnautovic
Manchester United’s desperation for a brand new striker in the summertime of 2022 led them to Arnautovic and a £7million bid was rejected by Bologna.
Whereas Arnautovic, previously of Stoke and West Ham, was eager on a transfer to United, their followers have been aghast on the prospect of the Austria worldwide shifting to Outdated Trafford.
Not solely was Arnautovic getting on, however he’d been concerned in a string of racist incidents throughout his profession, resulting in a number of supporters straight emailing chief government Richard Arnold in protest.
The transfer even achieved the not possible and rendered Gary Neville speechless. “I don’t know, I’ve no remark,” Neville advised Sky Sports activities when requested about United’s method for Arnautovic.
“I’ve received a touch upon every part on the planet aside from Man United attempting to signal Marko Arnautovic, I’ve received nothing to say.”
United quietly deserted their pursuit of Arnautovic quickly afterwards.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has spent the final 20 years pushing the boundaries of goalscoring to newfound limits.
However there wasn’t precisely a clamour for his signature when he expressed his want to depart Manchester United in 2022,
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel turned down the chance of getting a premium gun-for-hire as his principal ahead, whereas Bayern Munich printed two statements distancing themselves from the 37-year-old.
La Liga stalwarts Atletico Madrid have been linked with Ronaldo, just for their supporters to return out in sturdy opposition towards the signing of a participant who had tormented them whereas enjoying for metropolis rivals Actual.
“In gentle of the potential of signing Cristiano Ronaldo, whether it is greater than a easy hearsay with none foundation, we specific our absolute rejection of his hypothetical becoming a member of of our membership,” an announcement from the Union Internacional de Penas Atletico de Madrid learn
“The aforementioned participant represents the antithesis of the values that represent the hallmarks of our Atleti, akin to the trouble, generosity, modesty and humility of those that need to defend our values.
“Even within the extremely unlikely hypothetical case {that a} participant in steep decline akin to Cristiano Ronaldo may assure us a trophy, we wouldn’t settle for his signing.”
And, if that wasn’t clear sufficient, Atleti followers paraded anti-Ronaldo banners throughout a pleasant with Numancia.
That’s him advised.
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard wished to depart for Liverpool for Chelsea in 2005, solely to re-consider as soon as Kopites began burning his shirt on the streets of Merseyside…
READ: Seven star names who didn’t get their large transfer away: Gerrard, Rooney…
Paul Pogba
Pogba was often linked with a transfer away from Manchester United throughout his second spell on the membership.
However his immense potential and World Cup winner’s medal meant nothing to offended PSG followers in 2021.
With rumours circling of a £43million bid for the France worldwide, one set of PSG supporters hung banners outdoors the membership’s coaching floor and Parc des Princes that learn: ‘Pogba, it’s best to hearken to your mom. She doesn’t need you right here, neither can we’.
The midfielder hails from the city of Lagny-sur-Marne, which is round 22 miles from the centre of Paris, however is reportedly a Marseille fan and that meant PSG supporters protested towards any potential switch.
Pogba stayed at United earlier than returning to Juventus on a free switch in 2022.
El Hadji Diouf
He dived, he spat, he taunted injured opponents… it stays a thriller why Diouf was hated by nearly all people throughout his time in England.
Not that it deterred Sam Allardyce, who signed the previous Senegal worldwide at Bolton and Blackburn, from taking him on trial at West Ham in 2011.
Requested in regards to the potential response at Upton Park, Allardyce mentioned: “As a lot of the followers have taken to him all over the place else he’s been – they’ll love him.
“Dioufy is a high quality participant who West Ham followers will respect in the event that they see him.”
The Hammers have been within the Championship on the time, however followers determined they’d relatively watch Freddie Piquionne toil upfront than see Diouf besmirch the well-known claret and blue shirt.
He wasn’t supplied a contract, with Allardyce pointedly saying: “Clearly I had to remember the scenario on the membership with the followers.”
The controversial ahead signed for Neil Warnock’s Leeds inside the 12 months, a mix which appears nearly proper.
READ: Six instances El-Hadji Diouf was a pr*ck at Liverpool: Spitting, turkeys & sh*ts
Joey Barton
Given their fame for ‘pwopa nawty’ antics, it’s stunning that West Ham supporters have protested towards a number of perceived unsuitable ‘uns becoming a member of the membership.
And, after they caught wind of Joey Barton becoming a member of the membership in 2015, Hammers followers united towards the prospect of the midfielder spouting Nietzsche and attacking team-mates on their watch.
The membership had been eager to usher in the midfielder after his launch by QPR and had even booked him in for a medical earlier than fan stress advised.
“I’d prefer to want the soccer membership good luck going ahead,” Barton mentioned after the transfer was cancelled. “No onerous emotions.”
He was relatively much less diplomatic in an interview with The Mirror a month later, saying: “My enjoying potential is sweet sufficient to manage in that league.
“However folks then begin worrying in regards to the baggage and the way I’ll contribute to the group or how I’ll react if I’m not enjoying, which is lazy on their behalf.”
And, in his 2016 autobiography, he wrote: “ A vocal minority of West Ham followers reacted like they have been about to be represented by a serial killer.”
“That’s life and there’s no bitterness on my half,” he added unconvincingly.
Lee Bowyer
Again in 2002, an period when the web was dial-up and smoking was nonetheless allowed in pubs, Bowyer was probably the greatest goal-scoring midfielders within the Premier League and on the verge of being chosen for the England squad.
So, when he handed in a switch request at Leeds, it was no shock that Liverpool made a £9million bid for his companies that was accepted by the financially troubled Whites.
However contract negotiations between Bowyer and Liverpool dragged on, whereas followers turned uneasy with the midfielder’s perspective to racism.
And his involvement in a highly-publicised trial surrounding the assault on an Asian pupil in Leeds – of which Bowyer was acquitted of GBH and affray – additionally elevated the controversy surrounding his transfer to Anfield.
The transfer finally fell by way of, with Liverpool releasing an announcement saying: “Supervisor Gerard Houllier was not satisfied the participant had both the starvation or want to play for the membership, qualities that are important for any Liverpool participant.”
Bowyer moved to West Ham six months later the place, true to kind, followers protested towards his signing outdoors Upton Park.
READ NEXT: A forensic evaluation of Lee Bowyer’s on-pitch struggle with Kieron Dyer
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