9 Greatest Transfer Flops of All Time

Watching highlights of Torres' epic miss against Manchester United has convince me even further that he is, and will continue to be, a major transfer flop.

Yes, he scored, but unless he lifts his game immensely then he must surely be considered a flop. And it got me thinking about how he compares to other names that haven't lived up to their hefty price tags.

Here is a list of the nine biggest wastes of money in football history, in no particular order. 

Fernando Torres

Facts:

Moved from Liverpool to Chelsea in 2011
Transfer fee of 50 million pounds
19 games, 2 goals

The list starts with the man who inspired it.

To be fair to him, Torres hasn't yet completed a full season with Chelsea and he will need time to gel with the squad, but unless he begins scoring on a regular basis there is no way he will come close to justifying his massive 50 million pound transfer fee.

His play is improving, but he needs to show he can lead the Chelsea front line.

Denilson

Facts:

Moved from Sao Paolo to Real Betis
Transfer fee of 21.5 million pounds
186 games, 33 goals

At the time of his transfer, the Brazilian was the world's most expensive player.

After his excellent showing at the 1997 Copa America, the Spanish club paid top dollar to acquire the services of the young Brazilian.

But he was never able to fulfill his potential, and Betis was amazingly relegated to the Spanish second division a season after his arrival.

Alberto Aquilani

Facts:

Moved from Roma to Liverpool in 2009
Transfer fee of 20 million pounds
28 games, 2 goals

The Italian international was viewed as a rising star at Roma when he was purchased by Rafa Benitez after the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, he suffered from injuries from the start of his stint at Liverpool and unable to find his feet at Anfield, he has since been sent on loan to Juventus and currently AC Milan. 

Robbie Keane

Facts:

Moved from Tottenham to Liverpool in 2008
Transfer fee of 20.3 million pounds
28 games, 7 goals

Robbie Keane was another of Rafael Benitez's ill-fated signings prior to the Spaniard's departure from Liverpool.

The Irishman never came close to paying off his large transfer fee and after only six months was shipped back to Tottenham for far less than what he was purchased for. 

Nicolas Anelka

Facts:

Moved from Arsenal to Real Madrid in 1999
Transfer fee of 23 million pounds
19 games, 2 goals

'Le Sulk' left Arsenal for Real Madrid as a 19-year-old with the potential to become one of the world's premier strikers.

Anelka failed to live up to the hype of his hefty price tag and after a season of warming the bench, found himself back at his first professional club, PSG. 

Juan Sebastian Veron

Facts:

Moved from Lazio to Manchester United in 2001
Transfer fee of 28.1 million pounds
73 games, 11 goals

Probably the most well-known flop, Veron arrived at United with big things expected of him.

After two seasons of uninspired performances, he was finally taken to Chelsea where he also failed to deliver, but he eventually found success in Italian football again. 

Andriy Shevchenko

Facts:

Moved from AC Milan to Chelsea in 2006
Transfer fee of 30 million pounds
77 games, 22 goals

At the time of his transfer, 'Sheva' was one of the top strikers in the world and Chelsea was looking for big signings to become the top club in the world.

The Ukranian scored on debut, but was never able to repeat his form for Milan in England.

However, he must surely go down as one of the finest strikers to ever kick a ball.

Robinho

Facts:

Moved from Real Madrid to Manchester City in 2008
Transfer fee of 32 million pounds
53 games, 16 goals

The little Brazilian arrived in Manchester as the record British transfer signing in history in 2008 after the takeover at City.

Unfortunately for the player and the club, he was never able to settle in Manchester, a problem several of City's signings have had, and with the arrival of more players, Robinho was sent out on loan twice and finally sold to AC Milan. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Facts:

Moved from Inter Milan to Barcelona in 2009
Transfer fee of 40 million pounds and Samuel Eto'o
29 games, 16 goals

Now onto my personal choice as the biggest overpriced signing of all time.

It's not that Ibrahimovic isn't a great player or that he did as badly as the other players on this list, but it's what Barca gave up to acquire him.

Not only did they pay Inter Milan 40 million pounds, they also gave them Samuel Eto'o, a man who was just as good, if not better than, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede went on to have a mediocre time in Spain, while Eto'o lead Inter Milan to a treble. 

Thanks for Reading

Feel free to leave any comments discussing my choices, and including any of yours.

Thanks for reading.