Who are the most controversial Premier League transfers of all time? These players caused major headlines when they moved to their new clubs.
The Premier League is the best soccer league in the world and a part of that is because of the scandals and drama created. Lets take a look at the most controversial Premier League transfers of all time.
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10. William Gallas to Tottenham
In 2010 William Gallas made Premier League transfer news headlines by signing for Tottenham on a free transfer and turning his back on Arsenal. The North London rivals have one of the biggest football rivalries in the world, and the move even more shocking especially considering he captained Arsenal before his move to Spurs.
Gallas has a history of Judas-like betrayal. He joined Arsenal after five years with London rivals Chelsea, with his former club claiming that he threatened to score own goals if he wasn't allowed to leave the club.
William Gallas wore Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea colours—in Gallas’ eyes, Chelsea are 👑 in London. pic.twitter.com/EgwQdnWwrA
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 1, 2017
9. Michael Owen to Manchester United
Michael Owen exploded onto the scene as a 17-year old at Liverpool. In his seven seasons he scored 118 goals in 216 appearances and became a fan favourite at Anfield. He would sign for Real Madrid in 2004 but only a year later, made a surprising move to Newcastle United for a club record £16.8m.
Fast forward to 2009 and Owen had openly stated that he regretted his move to Tyneside. The Premier League transfer news that Owen would move to Manchester United in the summer of 2009 took everybody by surprise. It incensed Liverpool fans, who are arch rivals to United, as well as Newcastle fans, who had just been relegated with Owen playing upfront.
He did give us this moment though 😍 pic.twitter.com/OSYoBs0r93 https://t.co/cjomwulg50
— Lewis (@_lewisnufc_) October 3, 2022
8. Carlos Tevez to Manchester City
One of the most controversial Premier League transfers in history was Carlos Tevez’s move to West Ham from Corinthians because of the third-party ownership that Tevez was connected to.
Following a successful loan spell at Manchester United, Tevez instead joined rivals Manchester City in 2009 on a permanent deal. "A small club with a small mentality", is how United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reacted.
A huge billboard which read "Welcome to Manchester" was erected by Manchester City in response, as City fans claim that they're the only club from Manchester with United being on the border of the City of Salford and borough of Trafford.
On this day in 2009: Manchester City announce deal to sign Carlos Tevez pic.twitter.com/JW7YBMW0du
— I Love Manchester (@ILoveMCR) July 13, 2021
7. Fernando Torres to Chelsea
When Roman Abramovich splashed £50m on Liverpool star Fernando Torres, it was Premier League transfer news that shocked everyone. It was a Chelsea side that was also already loaded with talent.Torres scored a less than impressive 20 goals in 110 matches for Chelsea in the Premier League and is considered a significant flop considering the money spent on him.
6. Robin van Persie to Manchester United
Robin Van Persie caused a stir when he departed Arsenal for fierce rivals Manchested United. He was one of the best strikers of his generation and he left London after scoring 96 Premier League goals in 194 appearances for Arsenal.
Van Persie continued his remarkable scoring record with 48 goals in 86 league games for Manchester United and was top scorer in the 2012-13 season with 26 goals.
5. Wayne Rooney to Manchester United
Manchester United shocked the Premier League when they landed England wonderboy Wayne Rooney in 2004. An 18-year-old Rooney made the move for £25.6m, surprising in an era where clubs weren't willing to take many big risks.
Rooney immediately justified his huge price tag, scoring a memorable hat-trick in his first ever game for Manchester United, against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. A 13-year career at United returned 183 Premier League goals while at Old Trafford, another reason why we all hate Manchester United.
4. Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City
Emmanuel Adebayor was one of many players who made the move from Arsenal to cashed-up Manchester City with Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna all making the switch.
Adebayor was the most controversial transfer of them all. In his first game against his former employer in 2009, Adebayor scored a goal against Arsenal. He earned himself a two game suspension and £25,000 fine from the FA for running the length of the pitch before celebrating and taunting Arsenal away supporters.
In the same game he was accused of deliberately kicking former teammate Robin van Persie in the face, slapping one of his closest friends Alex Song, and then trying to stamp on Cesc Fabregas.
💥 When former Arsenal star Emanuel Adebayor scored for City against his former club, then ran the entire length of the pitch to celebrate in front of his former club's fans 😂😂#ManCity #Arsenal #PL pic.twitter.com/MEg0j9saLX
— 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 (@Doozy_45) July 5, 2023
3. Alan Shearer to Newcastle United
Alan Shearer had an incredible Euro 1996 campaign. He finished as their highest goalscorer and helped England reach the semi-finals.
Shearer then made a mind blowing £15m world record move from Blackburn to Newcastle that made Premier League transfer news headlines.
When taking into account inflation, Alan Shearer is the highest Premier League transfer of all time at £222m at today's cost. Shearer is one of the most prolific Premier League goalscorers ever and he went on to score over 200 goals for Newcastle cementing his place among the greats.
2. Eric Cantona to Manchester United
Eric Cantona is one reason why many of us hate Manchester United but the club legend actually started his Premier League career with Leeds United. After arriving from French club Nimes, he was seen as an unstable personality and Leeds sold him to bitter rivals Manchester United.
In one of the greatest bargains in history, Cantona was bought for £1.2 million. One of the greatest players of his generation, he helped United to four Premier League titles much to the dismay of Leeds fans.
1. Sol Campbell to Arsenal
Sol Campbell’s free transfer to Arsenal in 2001 is the most controversial transfer in Premier League history. As captain of Tottenham, he let his contract expire, declined an extension that would have made him the highest ever paid player at Tottenham, and then signed for their biggest rivals Arsenal.
Making things worse for Tottenham fans was that Campbell had openly committed to Spurs fans that he would be staying at White Hart Lane. He then went on to play a key part in three FA Cups and two Premier League titles for Arsenal, including their famous 2003-04 “Invincibles” team.
• 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟭. Sol Campbell on speculation of him leaving Tottenham: “I’m staying.”
• 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟭. Sol Campbell joins Tottenham’s rivals Arsenal on a free transfer. 😎 @SolManOfficial #afc pic.twitter.com/BNM9pmr4KD — afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 3, 2022
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Nobody understood those transfers, but for me the most controversial transfers were Torres to Chelsea and Van Persie to Manchester United, because the last one rainforced one of the Big Six clubs of that time
Oh, I remember that time when Carlos Tevez switched from United to City! and City even pulled off that epic "Welcome to Manchester" stunt
Van Persie to Manchester hurt very much back in the days!