The transfer window has come to a close and there were quite a few soap operas that dragged on all summer, with some that sensationally collapsed when all seemed ready to sign.
Lazar Samardzic (Udinese to Inter)
This was as done as deals generally get in the transfer market, as the clubs had exchanged paperwork and both Samardzic and midfielder Giovanni Fabbian had undergone medicals with their new sides. Just as everyone was waiting for the formal announcement, Samardzic’s father and whole new members of his entourage suddenly appeared to take over from agent Rafaela Pimento, who had negotiated the switch, demanding higher commission and wages. Inter stood firm and refused to budge from the agreed terms, sending Samardzic back to Udine, while Fabbian ended up moving to Bologna instead. Never take anything for granted in the transfer window.
Medhi Taremi (Porto to Milan)
Another one where intermediaries kept popping up out of the woodwork and changing the terms, with reports their requests suddenly doubled or even tripled the original costs. Milan would not stand for that and the €15m deal was abandoned in the final 24 hours of the transfer window. Another in a long line of near misses for the Iran centre-forward and Serie A over the course of his career, but as his contract with FC Porto only runs to June 2024, he could still get there.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea to Inter and Juventus)
It is rare that a player brings quite so much drama to the market as the Belgian, who every summer seems to be the centre of lengthy discussions and uncertainty. In this case, he had just completed a loan spell at his old club Inter and seemed on the verge of making it permanent for circa €30m, a big sacrifice for the Nerazzurri, when rumours reached them that he was also talking to their arch-rivals Juventus. This was taken as an immense betrayal and severed Lukaku’s link with Inter once and for all. Ironically, it was all for nothing, because after weeks of negotiations Chelsea also failed to agree terms with Juve. Eventually, with time running out and his presence hanging around their necks like a millstone, the Blues finally managed to off-load Lukaku on loan to Roma.
Marcos Leonardo (Santos to Roma)
Roma were able to go after Lukaku because their primary target – or should we say targets – had fallen through, including Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata. The one that seemed closest was Marcos Leonardo, fresh from impressing for Brazil at the Under-20 World Cup. The clubs agreed a deal, only for Santos to warn their circumstances had changed. Sitting in the danger zone and with another striker Deivid Washington sold to Chelsea, suddenly they could no longer afford to let the starlet leave. This move may well happen in January or next summer, but he Giallorossi were forced to start from scratch all over again.
Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach to Milan)
If Inter saw Lukaku snatched out from under their noses, they can at least recognise they were on the other side of that experience when stealing Thuram from neighbours Milan. The France international was a free agent, so there was no need to negotiate with other clubs and it all came down to what the striker wanted. He had already been linked with Inter in January, but the Rossoneri thought they had agreed terms this summer when he suddenly changed his mind. The destination was always San Siro, just a different side of the city.
Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo to Napoli)
Of all the players flocking to the Saudi Pro League, the most surprising saw Gabri Veiga snub Scudetto-winners Napoli. The clubs had agreed a deal, he was offered a more than decent salary with the opportunity to play in the Champions League, but at the age of just 21, the midfielder chased the money to Al-Ahli. If you needed a sign that the Saudi cash has changed the transfer market, then this was it.
Gaetano Castrovilli (Fiorentina to Bournemouth)
With his contract running down, the Italy midfielder was content to make the move to the Premier League and Fiorentina were more than happy with a €12m plus bonuses payday. Castrovilli flew out to England, underwent his medical and then the world came crashing down around him. It was the worst possible news. Not only was the transfer abandoned, but the tests showed he needed yet more surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament that he had already torn in April 2022. Castrovilli is not expected back on the pitch until January 2024.