6 Transfer Rumours with Zero Chance of Happening

No matter how big the prospects or how entertaining it might be, a piece of transfer speculation will sometimes come about that is just impossible to see coming to fruition.

Of course, there’s no end to the amount of hypothetical events that could unfold in making the most unrealistic of scenarios eventually materialise, but in a logical world, there are certainly things that can be ruled out.

Working off of transfer rumours and evidence that may already be on hand, here we’ll look at some of those stories that won’t be happening this January, some that won’t happen next summer and some that just won’t happen.

The old saying goes that we should never say “never,” but sometimes you just can’t help it.

1. Jack Wilshere to Barcelona

With Xavi and Andres Iniesta inevitably entering ageing and coming towards their twilight years—though more so the former—attention has predictably turned to how Barcelona will fill the void left by one or both.

Far from the logical solutions of another La Masia graduate coming through the club’s ranks or perhaps even another Spaniard being drafted in, speculation has somehow come to the least likely of solutions: Jack Wilshere.

Largely pegged as the future of not just Arsenal, but English football as a whole by some, it’s farcical to think that the young Gunner might hang all that on the line by risking a move to the Camp Nou, per the Daily Star's Jack Wilson.

While talk of a bid being readied is all well and good, it seems of little coincidence that rumours seemed to start this summer around the same time the Metro reported Wilshere of tweeting a picture of his son in a Barca kit, a completely innocuous offence.

An astute passer of the ball, but by no means trained in the ways of tiki-taka, a move to Catalan country would rival Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid in terms of oddity.

2. Marco Reus to Manchester City

Rumoured to be a Manchester City target for some time now, there's a very good chance that the billions in Sheikh Mansour's bank account have merely resulted in another rumour that won't end up coming true.

After all, which club wouldn't want to sign a player of Reus' talent?

At Borussia Dortmund, the German international rakes in £60,000 according to Goal.com, and would see that figure double in size if he were to move to the Etihad.

Contrary to what some believe, however, there is more to football than money, and some players are more interested in silverware, challenging for European titles and international fame than just a bigger bank balance, things that Borussia Dortmund can offer with more security than the Sky Blues.

No offence intended, of course. Manuel Pellegrini's side is a formidable power boasting their own reserves that many clubs would be jealous of, but the cards just aren't in it for Reus to jump the Yellow and Blacks' ship at this moment, especially considering he grew up in their youth ranks before moving to Borussia Monchengladbach.

3. Mats Hummels to Barcelona

Another Borussia Dortmund star being linked with an exit from Signal Iduna Park in the near future is Mats Hummels, who has on multiple occasions moved to silence rumours regarding his move away from Jurgen Klopp's side.

The most recent statement made by the German centre-back came just this week, where Hummels spoke to Sky Deutschland (h/t Sky Sports) ahead of Dormund's Champions League clash with Arsenal:

"

There is no truth in these stories. Of course, every now and then there are bits of reports. That's the same about other players too. Today, I read about [Ilkay] Gundogan and Thomas Muller going to Barcelona. He went to the city of Barcelona to have dinner. This just happens, and then you are getting linked to a move.

Then, there are some people claiming they are in touch with Barcelona. And they tell the media about it. We did experience that back in April. Three days later, this was written in a newspaper.

"

Rumours and stories such as this are just part and parcel of the modern news cycle. It's almost always necessary to feed off these hints as it's just in our nature; sometimes they're true and sometimes they're false.

In Hummels' case, it would appear to be the latter for a man who's enjoying his football and contracted to last season's Champions League finalists until 2017.

4. Ezequiel Garay to Manchester United

A story now coming upon its two-year anniversary, the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United has presumably also brought an end to any hopes Ezequiel Garay may have had of moving to Old Trafford.

Speaking earlier in October, the Benfica defender claims that his signature was a good as the Red Devils' until David Moyes was appointed as manager, per the Daily Mail:

"

I believed I was going to join Manchester United in the summer. The deal was nearly closed but finally Benfica did not accept the offer. I believe the exit of Ferguson has influenced the deal. Moyes did not believe in me as much but that's not a problem.

I am happy at Benfica and have a lot of dreams and ambitions for this season. Now I only think about the present which is Benfica but it's never possible to discard anything in the future.

"

Of course, Moyes may one day decide that he's had enough of analysis and that Fergie was indeed spot on with his recommendation of the Argentine centre-back, but that's unlikely to be the case for some time, if at all.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo to Paris Saint-Germain

Cristiano Ronaldo is learning French. A move to Paris Saint-Germain is therefore imminent.

That would appear to be the line that some are willing to take after hearing of the superstar's extra-curricular activities, anyway, with the Mirror alleging that a move to the French capital isn't far off.

This is given his relationship with Real Madrid, the fact that he's only just put pen to paper on a new five-year deal and is currently being paid £15 million-a-year, a figure that PSG would admittedly have every chance of matching themselves.

If Ronaldo were to leave the Bernabeu—and that's a massive "if"—it's hard to imagine the Portuguese captain would be heading for anywhere other than Old Trafford. Although, that may have changed with Ferguson stepping down from the manager's seat.

Heaven forbid Ronaldo starts to learn German at any point.

6. Romelu Lukaku to Juventus

One point it's essential is established around Romelu Lukaku is this: The player will remain at Goodison Park until June 2014 unless a horrific injury happens to cut his season short.

ESPN has already confirmed Roberto Martinez as saying that there is no chance of Chelsea recalling the striker, meaning that the Belgian will play for no other team than Everton in the 2013-14 campaign.

However, the same article does acknowledge that Juventus have an interest in signing Lukaku next summer, when his spell with the Toffees is done.

At just 20 years of age, though, the towering striker really has no reason to complete a move away from Stamford Bridge.

One might argue that the Blues aren't showing him the appreciation that he deserves and that Lukaku can indeed challenge the likes of Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o for a starting place under Jose Mourinho.

It already seems quite clear that's true, with the youngster in excellent shape for Martinez, not long after having an incredible spell on loan with West Brom.

Having said that, it's also important to note that the player is barely out of his teens. He has his entire career ahead of him and will have plenty of time to challenge for first team football at Chelsea, just as Thibaut Courtois will do should he wish it.

Next summer, the forward will likely come back to West London with another 15 goals under his belt and more eager than ever to prove himself at the Bridge.

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