Biggest transfers we didn’t see this summer

The summer transfer window officially closed across Europe’s top five leagues on Thursday night, and the majority of the clubs should be satisfied with their incomings.

However, there were a number of marquee players that did not switch teams despite constant speculation. We look at a few of those transfers which didn’t happen.

Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona to Manchester United

Right from May this year, there were claims that De Jong could be reunited with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The speculation intensified with every passing day and United even reached a transfer agreement with Barcelona for him.

However, the transfer never materialised. From the off, De Jong was clear that he did not want to leave his ‘dream club’ Barcelona and his stance stayed unchanged. Knowing this, United eventually reacted with the stunning signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid.

Bernardo Silva – Manchester City to Barcelona

Silva’s transfer to the Catalan giants was directly linked with De Jong’s exit. The Blaugrana had plans to sell De Jong to the Red Devils in order to recoup funds to land the Portugal international. However, the transfer strategy did not work out in the end.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also publicly admitted that Silva could leave earlier this summer, but made it clear towards the transfer deadline that he was staying. Barcelona could return for Silva in either January or at the end of the current campaign.

Milan Skriniar – Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain

The Slovakia international was heavily fancied to join the French champions this summer. Negotiations were held on multiple occasions between the clubs, but there remained a vast difference in the transfer valuations. Inter eventually decided to keep him.

The Nerazzurri were eyeing around €70 million for the central defender, but Les Parisiens were reluctant to pay more than €50m. Financial Fair Play constraints were highlighted as a reason. The club have since been fined €10m upfront for breaking FFP rules.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United to several clubs

Ronaldo’s future was one of the main topics of speculation throughout the summer. After United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, the Portuguese was desperate to move on, but could not find any suitors due to his enormous weekly salary.

Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid all distanced themselves from signing him after initial speculation. Towards the end, he was linked with surprise loan moves to Napoli and Sporting Lisbon, but he stayed put.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Lazio to the Premier League

After seven seasons at Lazio, it finally seemed that Milinkovic-Savic could move on this summer. With less than two years left on his contract, it appeared the perfect time for a big sale. There were no surprises when he was linked once more with a Premier League switch.

Newcastle United were first considered as admirers before Arsenal reportedly entered the race. It was then suggested that the Serbian could reject both for a move to Manchester United. Chelsea were also linked through his agent. This transfer saga could continue in January.