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The Top 10 Worst Free Transfer Blunders in Premier League History

November 3, 2024 at 02:14:04 PM GMT+5:30

As Liverpool faces the prospect of losing key players on free transfers, such as Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold, in the summer, we take a look at some of the biggest blunders in Premier League history where valuable players were allowed to leave on a free. From Che Adams heading to Serie A and scoring four goals in September to Mark Viduka's unsuccessful move from Middlesbrough to Newcastle, these are the top ten worst transfer decisions that clubs came to regret. And with Liverpool's star players potentially joining this list in the future, the question remains, who will make the cut?

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Liverpool Risks Losing Top Players on Free Transfers

As the summer transfer window approaches, Liverpool faces the daunting prospect of losing several key players on free transfers. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are among the stars whose contracts expire in 2023. If they do not sign extensions, they will be available to join other clubs for free.

This would be a major blow to Liverpool, who have relied heavily on these players in recent years. Van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world, while Salah has been a prolific goalscorer and Alexander-Arnold a creative force.

Liverpool has a history of losing valuable players on free transfers. In 2015, Steven Gerrard left for the LA Galaxy after spending 17 years with the club. In 2020, Georginio Wijnaldum joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

If Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold were to leave on free transfers, it would be one of the biggest blunders in Premier League history.

Top 10 Worst Transfers Decisions in Premier League History

  1. Che Adams (Southampton to Sampdoria, 2019)
    • Adams joined Sampdoria on a free transfer after Southampton failed to agree on a new contract. He has since scored 18 goals in Serie A.
  2. Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough to Newcastle, 2000)
    • Viduka joined Newcastle on a free transfer after Middlesbrough failed to meet his wage demands. He scored 5 goals in 32 appearances for Newcastle before joining Leeds United.
  3. Sol Campbell (Tottenham to Arsenal, 2001)
    • Campbell joined Arsenal on a free transfer after his contract with Tottenham expired. He was a key player in Arsenal's "Invincibles" team that went unbeaten in the 2003-04 season.
  4. Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea, 2006)
    • Cole joined Chelsea on a free transfer after Arsenal refused to meet his wage demands. He was a key player in Chelsea's success in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
  5. Bosman Ruling (1995)
    • The Bosman Ruling allowed players to leave their clubs on free transfers at the end of their contracts. This led to a number of high-profile players leaving their clubs on free transfers, including Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, and Gianfranco Zola.

FAQs

1. Why are Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold at risk of leaving Liverpool on free transfers?

  • Their contracts expire in 2023, and they have not yet signed extensions.

2. What would be the impact on Liverpool if Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold left on free transfers?

  • It would be a major blow, as they are three of the team's most important players.

3. What are the chances of Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold signing new contracts?

  • It is difficult to say, but it is believed that Liverpool is keen to keep all three players.

4. What are the top 10 worst transfer decisions in Premier League history?

  • See the list above.

5. What is the Bosman Ruling?

  • The Bosman Ruling allows players to leave their clubs on free transfers at the end of their contracts.
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