Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Transfers that did not happen, Part Two

1- Brazil Striker Eder could have become the World’s most expensive player in the summer of 1983. United Arab Emirates Club, Ajman, had made an offer of 57 Million French Francs (approx. 25 Million US dollars).
He was more than willing to go, however, his club Atletico Mineiro refused.

Photo from: France Football, August 30, 1983
(Eder)



2- Before joining Deportivo La Coruna in the summer of 1992, Brazilian striker Bebeto, had an offer to join Germany’s Borussia Dortmund.
He chose to accept Deportivo’s offer as he believed it was culturally easier for him to adapt in Spain.

Photo from: Planete Foot, April 1996
(Bebeto with Deportivo La Coruna)


3- Colombian Manager Francisco Maturana was lined up to be Real Madrid’s Manager for the 1991/92 season.
However, Interim Coach Radomir Antic had greatly improved Real Madrid’s results to such extent that it became difficult for Real’s Management not to reward him with the post for the upcoming season.

Photo from: World Soccer, April 1990
(Francisco ‘Pacho’ Maturana)


4-After the 1980 Europeo, Belgian striker Jan Ceulemans had an offer to join AC Milan. However, he refused as he did not believe he would have succeeded there at that stage in his career.

Photo from : Mondial, September 1980
(Jan Ceulemans, April 2, 1980, Belgium 2-Poland 1)


5-Initially Zvonimir Boban was supposed to join Olympique Marseille, as a makeweight in Jean-Pierre Papin’s transfer from OM to AC Milan in the summer of 1992.
However, he refused and chose to stay in Milan to fight for a place.


Photo from: Onze-Mondial, August 1992
(Zvonimir Boban during his loan at Bari, 1991/92)

4 comments:

  1. Regarding the Ceulemans transfert, I think that the fact that AC Milan were relegated in second division (Serie B) after the betting scandal in of March 1980 must have played a major part! :-)

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  2. That is definitely a possibility, despite more wages, a drop in division might have hurt his national team opportunities

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  3. I do recall reading that Reneé Van De Kerkhoof signed for Lazio in that summer, he even posed for the photo shoot with the new shirt, but after a training session Lazio was relegated and he flew, happy to, reportedly "escape from that crazy bunch".

    So, thinking more carefully, you're probably right in writing that Ceulemans wasn't so sure: the Ac Milan relegation took place in the summer, while Rossi, Giordano & Co. were disqualified in April, more or less). He had second thoughts before the relegation. I don't even know if Serie B was allowed to sign foreing players back in 1980.

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  4. I think Rene van der kerkhof eventually ended up in Hong Kong, his twin willy stayed with psv til retirement in 1988

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