The most controversial transfer moves in Premier League history

The Premier League has long been littered with controversial and contentious transfers, with high-profile names making the switch from one rival to another. In some cases, their transfer was so spurious in nature, it caused a change in Premier League rules!

A day that will live long in the memory of Arsenal fans, as they signed Sol Campbell away from their bitter rivals, Tottenham. The move was so unexpected, media members had gathered for a press conference to interview another new signing, when out walked Arsene Wenger and Campbell. Just three years later, the pair were celebrating an invincible Premier League campaign.

Tevez and Mascherano were coming off the back of starring roles at the 2006 World Cup for Argentina, and it was only through a strange third-party ownership scheme that they found themselves at Upton Park. Mascherano would make only five appearances in claret and blue, but Tevez was a key cog in keeping the Hammers in the Prem.

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Robin van Persie had thrived under Arsene Wenger’s tutelage at Arsenal, but after a lack of investment in the team by the club, the Dutchman felt it was time for him to move on. His move to Manchester United added insult to injury for Arsenal fans, who watched as RVP and co won the Premier League just a season after leaving North London.

Nick Barmby is one of the few players to move from the blue side of Merseyside to the Red after completing a transfer in 2000. As Breaking the Lines write, “Barmby’s decision to cross the park from Everton was bold, and it only made those heated Merseyside derbies even more memorable.”

Smith had played a crucial role for his boyhood club, Leeds, over the previous few seasons, but following a disastrous campaign in 2003/04, Smith knew he had to move on. His decision to move to Leeds’ hated rivals, Manchester United, wasn’t well received by Leeds fans, who saw his move as a betrayal. 

Adebayor spent three successful seasons with Arsenal before making a move to the newly moneyed Manchester City in 2009. The transfer itself wasn’t that controversial until Adebayor decided to twist the knife after scoring against Arsenal by running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the travelling Gunners’ fans after scoring against them.

A move that still angers Arsenal fans even to this day, as they watched academy graduate and Arsene Wenger favourite Ashley Cole choose money over his club and move to Chelsea. Per Optus Sports, Cole claimed Arsenal’s contract offers hurt his ego and made him feel disrespected by the club.

Cantona is considered a legend at Old Trafford, with the silky Frenchman playing a key role in four Premier League titles and a couple of FA Cup wins. What some fans don’t know, is his initial introduction to English football came at Leeds, where United signed him in 1992 after a falling out with then Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson.

Not so much contentious as just incredibly funny. Ali Dia was barely scraping by as a professional footballer before he managed to convince Graeme Souness and Southampton that he was George Weah’s cousin and to give him a go at the Saints. Within minutes of his debut, it became obvious what had happened, leaving Souness and co with egg on their face!

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