Top 11 transfers that didn't go through on summer deadline day 2023

One of the Saudi side was seeking Liverpool's best player

As the clock ticks relentlessly towards midnight on transfer deadline day, the footballing world collectively holds its breath. There awaits the dramatic twists and turns that have become synonymous. Even in the year 2023, the football world witnessed remarkable moments of ambition, negotiation, and last-minute chaos. While some deals were celebrated with euphoria and fanfare, others failed to leave fans and pundits alike scratching their heads in disbelief.

Top 11 deals that failed to be realised on the transfer deadline day of 2023:

11. Tosin Adarabioyo - Fulham to AS Monaco

Initially, in this summer's transfer window, clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan were linked with Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo. Later AS Monaco decided to target Adarabioyo to get a replacement for the departed Axel Disasi. Chelsea prized Disasi away for a reported £38.7m. However, even on the deadline day, Fulham were holding out for a £13m valuation, which was never met by the Ligue 1 side.

10. Yannick Carrasco - Atlético Madrid to Al Shabab

We had seen the Belgium winger swap life at Atlético Madrid for the Chinese Super League back in February 2018. And once again after rejoining Diego Simeone's Madrid, the star was reportedly ready to grab the chance for a change now to Saudi Pro League. We have seen how relentless the Saudi clubs have been this summer. A €15 million transfer was reportedly accepted by the Spanish side from Al Shabab, even though nothing seemingly came out of it officially.

9. Patson Daka - Leicester City to AFC Bournemouth

One of the players that managed to stay put at Leicester City is Patson Daka. For a relegated club, it is very hard to sustain and keep hold of good players. Patson Daka undeniably belonged to that category. So AFC Bournemouth wanted Daka to be back in the Premier League and play for them. But even though they had made space for the striker after offloading Kieffer Moore, a move wasn't accomplished.

8. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg - Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid

The 28-year-old was involved in reports suggesting a move away from the North London club. However, Tottenham Hotspur were adamant about the price tag a player like Pierre-Emile Højbjerg warranted. Spurs wanted a £40 million fee for the Danish midfielder who still has two years on his contract. But the Los Colchoneros of Madrid offered a loan move. Even a loan-to-buy move would have sufficed, but no such action suggested a failed move.

7. Mason Greenwood - Manchester United to Lazio

The 21-year-old was putting Old Trafford ablaze until January 2022. Allegations dumped his career and even later prevented his move back to Manchester United's roster after getting cleared of the charges. Lazio, the Serie A side were massively interested and equally ready to give the talent some fresh air in Italy. However, due to slow paperwork from the United camp and the early end of the Italian transfer deadline, the move was brushed away. Getafe luckily now got Greenwood for a small part of his salary on a season-long loan deal.

6. Paul Pogba - Juventus to Galatasaray

In 2016 Paul Pogba was welcomed with open arms to Old Trafford. A fee of £85 million helped convince Juventus to part ways with the midfielder who had finished fifth in the 2015 Ballon d'Or race. But as things stood, once again United decided to let him leave for free to return to Juve in 2022. On deadline day, Galatasaray reportedly were nearing a move for Pogba until he failed a routine medical check. Thus the move to Turkey was called off.

5. Armel Bella-Kotchap - Southampton to Borussia Dortmund

After debuting in the Bundesliga for VfL Bochum in 2019, Armel Bella-Kotchap was once again touted for a move back to Germany. This time a big club came calling. Borussia Dortmund were looking to acquire the services of the Southampton defender. The Saints demanded an obligation to buy in the loan deal worth €20 million which Dortmund couldn't afford. As things stand, the centre-back will play his role for the Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven after a season loan move came about.

4. Trevoh Chalobah - Chelsea to FC Bayern

Trevoh Chalobah was overjoyed at the chance to move to Germany and play for the Die Roten. But just like many deals are never meant to happen. This was also one of them. FC Bayern were pushing for a loan move and Thomas Tuchel could have easily helped the negotiations. Tuchel had given Chalobah his Chelsea debut during his managerial tenure there. But the London club wanted a £50 million transfer fee outright which didn't help the cause.

3. Ian Maatsen - Chelsea to Burnley

Ian Maatsen had an eventful loan last season with Burnley in the EFL Championship. He helped the side managed by Vincent Kompany to get to the Premier League. Kompany wanted the versatile player back with them. So a loan move with an obligation of £31.5 million was proposed which Chelsea accepted. But Maatsen wasn't interested in rejoining Burnley. The player is more interested in battling for a spot in the squad filled with talent and new recruits at Chelsea.

2. Joao Palhinha - Fulham to FC Bayern

 A £65 million was reportedly ready to be exchanged for Joao Palhinha by Bayern Munchen. The German club was keen to bring the Portugal star who shined brightly in the Premier League last season for Fulham. Reportedly Palhinha had completed his medicals and also media duties to join Bayern. But Fulham wanted a backup to him. The Cottagers couldn't bring in Scott McTominay so decided to call the move off suddenly.

1. Mohamed Salah - Liverpool to Al Ittihad

The Saudi Pro League clubs were investing heavily in the players from Europe this summer. Particularly the ones backed by the PIF fund. Karim Benzema decided to turn his career page after completing a move away from Real Madrid to join Al Ittihad. The Saudi side further raised their benchmark and calibre of players after recruiting Fabinho and N'Golo Kanté from Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. Still, they wanted Mohamed Salah to join them.

A massive fee of  £150 million was offered to The Reds. And Salah also wouldn't have minded joining Al Ittihad as long as Liverpool were happy. But given the player's importance in the team and further no time to seek a prominent signing, the team managed by Jurgen Klopp consciously decided to discard the £150 million. Now Liverpool are set to compete in the 2023-24 Premier League with Salah.