A new feature that I will be starting on this blog is about discussing player transfers that could have occurred but for various reasons fell through
1-Following the 1990 World Cup, newly promoted Serie A club Parma were very keen in acquiring West Germany’s Guido Buchwald.
The player himself was willing, however, his club Stuttgart categorically refused as he was irreplaceable in their eyes.
As a result Parma acquired Anderlecht and Belgium defender Georges Grun.
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Photo from: Onze, July 1986
(Georges Grun over Sergei Aleinikov with Stephane Demol looking on, June 15, 1986, World Cup, Belgium 4-USSR 3) |
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Photo from: Soccer International, August 1990
(Guido Buchwald, June 19, 1990, World Cup, West Germany 1-Colombia 1) |
2- Prior to signing for Olympique Marseille in the summer of 1986, French striker Jean-Pierre Papin was on the verge of joining AS Monaco from Club Brugge.
However, OM President Bernard Tapie persuaded Papin to come to Marseille.
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Photo from: World Soccer, June 1994
(Bernard Tapie) |
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Photo from: Onze-Mondial, January 1990
(Jean-Pierre Papin with OM) |
3- German striker Jurgen Klinnsman almost joined Real Madrid in the summer of 1992.
Klinnsman was to leave Italian club Internazionale Milano and had agreed with Real Madrid’s Dutch Manager Leo Beenhakker to join Real.
However, after Beenhakker was dismissed following Real’s defeat in the League title race and Copa del Rey Final, the deal was cancelled.
Real instead signed Chilean Ivan Zamorano from Sevilla and Klinnsman joined France’s AS Monaco.
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Photo from: Guerin Sportivo, October 14-20, 1992
(Jurgen Klinnsman with AS Monaco, 1992/93 season) |
4-Brazilian midfielder signed for Paris St Germain from Sao Paulo in the middle of 1992/93 season. He had the option to be loaned until the end of the season to Benfica, however, Rai refused and waited until the conclusion of the season to join PSG.
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Photo from: Onze-Mondial, June 1994
(PSG’s Rai and AS Monaco’s Claude Puel, 1993/94 season) |
5-During the 1987/88 season, Internazionale Milano acquired, from Porto, Algeria’s Rabah Madjer for the following season.
However, Inter pulled out of the agreement due to the fear that Madjer was injury prone.
They signed Argentinean striker Ramon Diaz instead from Fiorentina. |
Photo from: Onze, February 1988
(Rabah Madjer during his half-season loan at Valencia, January 10, 1988, Atletico Madrid 2-Valencia 1) |
