Antoine Griezmann signs new Atletico Madrid contract - Five other transfer U-turns

Sport360 staff 15:17 13/06/2017
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  • Antoine Griezmann has penned a new five-year contract with Diego Simeone’s side until 2022 – spurning the chance of moving to the Premier League.

    Here, we look at five other players who tried to force a move – but then back tracked and stayed at their clubs.

    Which one do you remember most?

    Share your thoughts – get in touch on Twitter and via Facebook.

    WAYNE ROONEY

    Back in 2010, Manchester United’s now all-time top goal-scorer was not so certain to climb up the club’s scoring charts. Apparently disillusioned by the club’s work in the transfer market, Rooney handed in a transfer request amid strong suggestions he was being courted by Manchester City and Chelsea.

    Three days later, however, United were announcing a new contract for the striker, as Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded Rooney to stay. Later that season, Rooney would score the goal of his life – against City.

    STEVEN GERRARD

    Steven Gerrard, the legendary one-club man, wasn’t so certain to stick around at Liverpool for his entire career back in 2005. Just weeks after the Reds’ miraculous Champions League triumph in Istanbul, Gerrard handed in a transfer request, stating he wanted to go to Chelsea.

    The midfielder claimed the decision was just a way to force Liverpool’s hand in contract negotiations, but in any case, it was he who blinked first, soon informing the club that he wanted to stay.

    KAKA

    AC Milan reportedly accepted a £91 million transfer fee from Manchester City for the Brazilian, who was set to get a £500,000-a-week contract. However, the Premier League side’s delegation returned from Milan empty-handed.

    At the last minute, Kaka decided that he could be more content at AC Milan, killing the transfer. Kaka then left for Real Madrid later that year (2009).

    JOHN TERRY 

    After failing to land Kaka in January 2009, City went after John Terry in the summer window, and Chelsea’s captain, leader, legend came very close to leaving his beloved club.

    The Blues rejected City’s bid but Terry’s head was turned, and he questioned whether the club’s ambition matched his own. Soon, however, he’d withdrawn his objections and signed a new contract.

    MATT LE TISSIER

    The Southampton legend says Spurs’ bid to sign him in 1990 was the closest he’d come to leaving Saints in his entire career.

    Le Tissier was a lifelong Spurs fan and had agreed wages with Tottenham, only for Southampton to match the north London club’s contract offer. The Englishman was convinced to stay and became a one-club man

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