The transfer window has still made people unhappy. As after each transfer window, several players who wanted a change of scenery for different reasons did not find the shoe that suited them. And if we had to retain only one name in the list of the big losers of this summer 2022, it would be that of Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years old). At the beginning of July, the Times dropped a bombshell when he announced the Portuguese wanted to leave Manchester United just a year after his return. After missing the recovery and the Red Devils summer tour for family reasons, CR7 returned to Manchester but he did not intend to stay there forever.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a pour rien market
The player wanted to join a club allowing him to play in the Champions League, a competition in which he often shone. The drop in his salary due to the non-qualification in C1 and the lack of ambition of MU on the transfer window would also have motivated his choice. Jorge Mendes therefore set out to find a new club. PSG, Atlético de Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea have been surveyed. All refused for different reasons. At the same time, the Mancunians, who closed the door to a departure, finally agreed to let him go in the event of a good offer. But this never came.
At the end of the transfer window, Sporting CP and Naples were linked to CR7. But the striker never considered going there according to the beach bar. According to the Italian press, however, there were exchanges between Napoli and its representative, who tried to make an offer of 140 million euros for Victor Osimhen in order to place his foal in Italy. Anyway, all of Jorge Mendes’ attempts didn’t work. For his part, Cristiano Ronaldo, who promised that he would empty his bag in an interview once the transfer window is over, will have to fight for his place at MU. Erik ten Hag, who did not appreciate his attitude at all this summer, put him on the bench several times.
Skriniar and Navas, two losers for PSG
CR7 is not the only one to have had a rough summer. Milan Skriniar (27) also had a lively transfer window. Priority target of Paris Saint-Germain, the defender quickly agreed with the French club. A club that offered him a salary of 7.7 million euros and a long-term contract. All that remained was to convince the Nerazzzurri, who had priced the player at €70m before upping the bill to €90m. PSG, who did not want to overpay a free player in 2023, offered 55 million euros. Inter refused and even indicated that Skriniar would stay. But the Ile-de-France residents did not give up until the end. Despite a final offer of €50m + €10m in bonuses, the Lombards refused.
The Slovak, whom Inter wants to extend, therefore remained at the dock. But PSG intends to return to the charge in January. The soap opera is not over. Still in Paris, Keylor Navas (35) was on the verge of leaving. Warned by Christophe Galtier that he would be the understudy of Gianluigi Donnarumma, the goalkeeper was quickly in contact with Naples, of which he was the priority. But the discussions dragged on and the deal fell through. Napoli and Navas were hoping for a contract termination while Paris wanted a sale. A loan was also under consideration. But the doorman remained at PSG, where he intends to fight for playing time.
Aouar, the false start
Still in Ligue 1, Houssem Aouar (24) is also one of the big losers in the transfer window. Ready to leave his training club, the midfielder benefited from an exit voucher one year from the end of his contract. Betis, Crystal Palace, Fulham and especially Benfica have notably tested the ground or even more. Nottingham Forest were also on the ball. An agreement had even been reached with the player. But it was with Lyon that it blocked. The unfortunate Aouar will therefore be back for a new season at home in Lyon. There is worse. Especially since if he does not extend, he will be able to negotiate freely from January. And there is no doubt that the suitors will be more numerous.
It will certainly be the same for Alexander Djiku (28), unless he extends to Strasbourg. This summer, he was going to sign for Hoffenheim. He had even passed his medical examination before his transfer hood for a disagreement related to commissions. At the end of the transfer window, Sevilla, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton, who thought they were making an offer, were present. But none passed the second. His teammate Ludovic Ajorque (28) is also continuing the adventure with the Alsatians. Courted by Hertha Berlin and VFB Stuttgart, he finally stayed. Gaël Kakuta (31) also wanted a change of scenery. Nantes was ready to recruit him. But the Canaries failed to come to an agreement with Lens.
Barça made people unhappy
The Rennais Hamari Traoré (30 years old) also thought of going away to take up a new challenge. As mentioned on our site, FC Barcelona was interested. But the Culers have decided to bet on Hector Bellerin. At the end of the contract in 2023, the right side, who was also followed by Crystal Palace, continues in Brittany. Like him, Thomas Meunier (30) was surveyed by FC Barcelona. He was even the Catalans’ No. 1 target on Wednesday. Thursday, Bellerin passed him. The Belgian, also approached by Manchester United, remains in Dortmund, he who pushed to join Barcelona. A failure for Meunier. And what about Juan Foyth (24 years old).
Long before Meunier and Bellerin, he was Barça’s priority target. However, Villarreal were asking a lot (42 million euros) but were ready to negotiate. But a few days before the end of the transfer window, the Spanish club announced the Argentinian’s injury for 8 to 10 weeks. His transfer to Catalonia thus fell through. Still in Spain, Mariano Diaz (29) finally wanted to leave Real Madrid after several transfer windows where he refused to do so. Getafe was on the spot. But the Merengues closed the door for the player under contract until 2023. The latter hoped to be released, Madrid refused. Marco Asensio (26) has been linked to AC Milan and MU. But he remained at Real Madrid, where he is no longer a starter and where an extension is not on the agenda.
The transfer window is still open in some countries
Anthony Gordon (21), who was retained by Everton despite his desire to join Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech (29), who dreamed of returning to Ajax, Cody Gakpo (23), quoted at MU and d he other clubs, Fabien Centonze (26), linked to Nantes in the home straight, or Tiémoué Bakayoko (28), linked to Nice for a time, also appear in the long list of big losers. But all may not be lost for some of them, who could still sign in a championship where the transfer window is still open. Hoping they have better luck this time around.
