Every transfer window is destined to bring with it a series of rumours that hold absolutely no truth. Very rarely do the tabloids correctly predict what’s going to happen and, when they do, it’s often because the deal is about to be done and has been made public through one route of another.
Nonetheless, we continue to read such stories each and every time, hoping against home that this time the source in question might have got the inside line. Sadly, we’re almost always disappointed. Sometimes however, a rumour emerges that is so ridiculous, that there is absolutely no chance it could ever be true.
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Stupidest transfer rumour of the summer emerges – Brace yourself Liverpool fans…
In the list below, we countdown the twelve most prominent rumours that have amused us over the last couple of months. So remember to take these with a pinch of salt and enjoy the rubbish the papers have produced…
Abou Diaby
The former Arsenal midfielder, who has had more injury problems over the last ten years than Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio put together, recently joined Marseille on a pay-as-you-play deal. However, the Metro weirdly claimed that Liverpool made a late move for the 29-year-old, only to be disappointed.
Mario Gomez
Liverpool had just completed the signing of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa, taking our grand total of strikers in our first-team squad to eight, but that didn’t stop the Daily Express predicting that Gomez could be en route to Anfield. Needless to say, Danny Ings and Divock Origi would not be impressed if this one ever went through.
Mario Gotze
There’s been a general acceptance this summer that Brendan Rodgers would struggle to stay in contention for world class names, having missed out on Champions League qualification. However, the man who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final twelve months ago might have been ours, according to the Metro.
Javier Hernandez
No player has moved between Manchester United and Liverpool in more than 50 years, but that hasn’t stopped their out of favour Mexican striker – who spent last season sitting on the bench at Real Madrid – from being regularly linked with us. The Daily Star even claimed that we’d submitted a bid for this forgotten forward.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG’s prize asset was never likely to leave the French capital this summer. Nor were we likely to be willing to meet his undoubtedly high wage demands. As good as he is, he was never the sort of player that we were likely to be looking at this summer, despite what the guys and girls at the Metro would have you believe.
Mateo Kovacic
This one is perfectly realistic on paper. However, what was ridiculous, is how long the papers ran with this story – especially considering the fact that, according to the Liverpool Echo, there was never an ounce of truth in it. The Croatian said on many occasions that he’s happy in Milan and why that took so long to hit home is anyone’s guess.
Thomas Muller
This was truly a case of lazy journalism. The mere reference of Liverpool’s name in a story from Bild, which stated that he would be the sort of player the Reds would like were he ever to become available, was latched on to by all the big English papers – who as always blew it massively out of proportion. Here’s one example from the Metro. The actual story was Bayern’s chairman stating Muller would be with the club for life – yet the papers somehow twisted it into a transfer rumour.
Gary Medel
We’re not sure why this seemed like a good idea. The Chilean was flavour of the month after helping his country win the Copa America, but a look at his one previous season in English football – which ended in relegation with Cardiff City – tells you all you need to know about his lack of suitability. The Telegraph were guilty this time.
Marco Reus
We had to include this one. All we’ve learned from two years of rumours is that Liverpool admire the player’s ability – doesn’t everyone? The German has said time and again that he wants to stay at Dortmund, and even a new contract wasn’t enough to put off our friends at the tabloids. The Daily Express wouldn’t exist without a Reus to Liverpool story.
Mohamed Salah
After missing out on the Egyptian a couple of years ago, many Liverpool fans breathed a sigh of relief. The former Basel man was a huge flop at Stamford Bridge, barley getting a game for Chelsea, and was eventually shipped out on loan to Italy. We all reacted with horror therefore when the Express suggested that we could return for him.
Fernando Llorente
What do Liverpool, who already have eight strikers on the books, need more than anything? An ageing, static forward who’s way past his best, apparently. The Express claimed we were battling Real Madrid (scoff) for his services earlier this month. We definitely were not.
Ashley Young
He’s 30-years-old. He spent half of last season at left-back. He’s scored just five goals in three years. He hasn’t played for England since 2013. He plays for our bitterest of rivals, who haven’t sold us a player since Phil Chisnall in 1964. Need we say more to describe a player better known for diving that scoring. Thanks Daily Star…
