As the January 2022 transfer window came to a close, some deals were left hanging as teams, players and agents rushed to meet the deadline.
A number of deals were signed, while others backfired. Arsenal and Tottenham were the major losers with the former failing to seal any transfer, while the latter got Juventus midfielders Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.
However, these two were below their list of players which include wingers Adama Traore who joined Barcelona from Wolves and Luis Diaz whose move from FC Porto was hijacked by Liverpool who paid £45 million to get his services.
TeamKenya gives you five of the unexpected and strangest deadline day moves ever seen during the transfer window.
Aubameyang Free Transfer to Barcelona
Arsenal, who were in the process of reducing their wage bill released former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer in the January 2022 window.
Aubameyang who was exiled from the team lineup in December 2021, was earning £350,000 per week.
The 32-year-old's move to Barcelona looked to be off as the two clubs were unable to come to an agreement but a breakthrough was eventually made during the last hours before the transfer period.
The Gabon international was in Spain ahead of his transfer before accepting a pay cut to join the Blaugranas, coached by Xavi Hernandez.
Redknapp Forced Benjani to Join Manchester City
In January 2008, then Portsmouth manager forced one of his players to sign for Manchester City after receiving a good offer.
Redknapp revealed that after receiving the proposed fee from oil-rich Man City, he approached the player and told him that the club had approved his transfer.
The manager noted that Benji had refused to leave Portsmouth which resulted in Redknapp dragging him to the airport where he made sure he boarded the plane to Manchester.
“He was a fantastic boy but it was a fantastic deal and I had to push him onto the plane to get him to go and do it,” Redknapp noted earlier.
Per Mertesacker Joining Arsenal on Deadline Day
Arsenal, after their famous 8-2 defeat to Manchester United in August 2011, was forced to reinforce their defence.
During the last hours of deadline day, then Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger announced the signing of Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen.
At that time, then 26 years old cost Arsenal a total of £10 million. He ended up signing a four year deal with the club, rose to be club captain and current Academy manager.
Robinho Transfer to Manchester City
Manchester City hijacked striker Robinho's move to rivals Chelsea. The Brazilian had even announced his move to the Blues.
The £32.5 million transfer-deadline-day signing from Real Madrid was not what the Brazilian wished for with him later on hitting out at City’s management.
Robinho wanted to be managed by his compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari who was then Chelsea manager.
“Neither Hughes nor Mancini understood. That was my problem. I am a special footballer and I need to be happy when I am playing. Maybe I should never have left Real Madrid.
“My destination was Chelsea with Luiz Felipe Scolari but, at the last moment, City appeared and I accepted,” Robinho stated earlier.
Manchester United Signing Marouane Fellaini
Manchester United signed Everton's midfielder Marouane Fellaini, days after his release clause had expired.
In the 2013 Summer transfer window, the Red Devils had failed to sign any players. Then head coach, David Moyes who had succeeded club legend Sir Alex Ferguson swiftly rushed to sign his former Everton player Fellaini at £27.5 million.
United would have paid £4 million less to Everton for the services of the Belgium midfielder if they would have secured his services before the clause expired.
"It was well documented that Marouane's contract has a clause, that clause expired on 31 July. As you can imagine, for a manager that gives you a real sense of celebration when that day arrives," then Everton manager Martinez stated.