Orban, Kaká, Zidane: The Premier League transfers that never happened

Blackburn Rovers and Zidane: The missed opportunity of 1995

In 1995, Blackburn Rovers, reigning English champions, had the opportunity to sign Zinedine Zidane (Bordeaux) and Christophe Dugarry despite the insistence of the sporting director. The two players had travelled to England to meet the club, but no agreement was reached.

The club's owner, Jack Walker, refused the signing. According to BBC Sport, he reportedly said: "Why would we need Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?"

Zidane and Dugarry subsequently won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 with France. Zidane won two Serie A titles with Juventus, then La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid. Dugarry played notably for AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Marseille, Bordeaux, and ended his career at Birmingham City.

Kaká and Manchester City: The record offer of January 2009

In January 2009, Manchester City offered £108 million to sign Brazilian midfielder Kaká, then at AC Milan. This sum represented more than double the world transfer record at the time.

Kaká refused the offer. The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner joined Real Madrid six months later for £56 million, then a world record. He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, before finishing his career at Orlando City in MLS (Major League Soccer, the top professional football league in North America), then at Brazilian club São Paulo FC.

Rivaldo and Bolton Wanderers: Greece over England (2004)

In 2004, Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce attempted to sign Brazilian Rivaldo (32 years old, 2002 World Cup winner), then sidelined by AC Milan. Rivaldo himself had expressed a desire to help Bolton reach European football for the first time in the club's history.

Rivaldo ultimately chose Olympiakos in Greece, where he stayed for three seasons. Without him, Bolton finished 6th in the Premier League in 2004–05 — level on points with Liverpool, three points below the top four — and reached the Round of 16 of the UEFA Cup, the former name of today's UEFA Europa League.

Steven Gerrard and Chelsea in 2005

In 2005, Steven Gerrard submitted a transfer request to Liverpool. Chelsea and manager José Mourinho were interested in a deal worth approximately £32 million, with Gerrard refusing to extend his contract. He ultimately decided to stay at Liverpool.

Timeline

1. 1995
   Blackburn Rovers, reigning English champions, refuse to sign Zidane (Bordeaux) and Dugarry despite their trip to England. Owner Jack Walker declines.
2. 1998–2000
   Zidane and Dugarry win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 with France.
3. 2004
   Sam Allardyce (Bolton) attempts to sign Rivaldo, 2002 World Cup winner, sidelined by AC Milan. Rivaldo opts for Olympiakos (Greece).
4. 2004–05
   Without Rivaldo, Bolton finishes 6th in the Premier League and reaches the Round of 16 of the UEFA Cup.
5. 2005
   Gerrard submits a transfer request to Liverpool. Chelsea offers approximately £32 million. He ultimately stays.
6. January 2009
   Manchester City offers £108 million for Kaká (AC Milan), more than double the world record. Kaká refuses.
7. Summer 2009
   Kaká joins Real Madrid for £56 million, then a world record.
8. March 2023
   Orban scores 7 goals in 4 days with Ghent: four-goal haul against Zulte Waregem, then hat-trick in 3 min 25 s against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League — a UEFA club competition record at the time.
9. Summer 2023
   Tottenham refuses £25 million for Orban. Harry Kane joins Bayern Munich. Orban does not move to the Premier League.
10. 2023–2026
    Orban has disappointing spells: 3 goals for Ghent, 3 for Lyon, 4 for Hoffenheim, then 7 on loan at Verona.
11. Late July 2026
    Gift Orban joins Turkish club Amedspor on loan, recently promoted to the top flight.

The numbers

Why would we need Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?

— Jack Walker, owner of Blackburn Rovers (1995), according to BBC Sport

What remains uncertain

Available sources do not clarify whether Tottenham submitted a formal offer to Ghent for Orban or whether discussions remained informal.

The case of Steven Gerrard in 2005 relies on a single source (Yahoo Sports); the precise details of Chelsea's interest have not been corroborated by other media outlets in the available data.

Frequently asked questions

2 August 2026 at 06:42