Neymar, Luis Suárez, Lewa, Totti: Real Madrid's failed transfers
Steven Gerrard
Florentino Pérez trired to land the Liverpool midfielder on two occasions: "I don't know if one day I'll regret it, but I woudl have regretted leaving more," Gerrard once said. Real's first attempt was in 2004, when the board viewed him as a key piece for
Foto:DARREN STAPLESREUTERS
Francesco Totti
The legendary Roma captain explained in an interview with Il Venerdì di Repubblica why he rejected Real Madrid's advances: "I thought very seriously about it, truthfully. However, my family, my wife and my friends made me understand I should stay at Roma.
Foto:ANDREAS SOLAROAFP
Luis Suárez
Real were keen on the former Liverpool striker during Carlo Ancelotti's spell as manager between 2013 and 2015, but the Italian said he felt that Karim Benzema was a more natural partner for Cristiano Ronaldo in the Madrid attack, paving the way for Barce
Foto:NIGEL RODDISREUTERS
Paul Pogba
Era un secreto a voces. La intención del francés de querer jugar a las órdenes de Zidane era evidente y se vio durante todo el pasado verano. El jugador más deseado por el técnico del club blanco. Este verano no se produjo su fichaje a pesar de la insiste
Foto:CARL RECINEAction Images via Reuters
Patrick Viera
"My only regret is not having signed for Real Madrid," Viera said during an interview with French magazine So Foot. The reason Viera gave for his reticence was, ironically, the treatment of Claude Makalélé by the Bernabéu board - the player he was suppose
Foto:TOBY MELVILLEREUTERS
Neymar
Another one who got away twice, first when Barcelona signed the Brazilian from Santos in 2013 and again when this summer Real were said to be close to agreeing a deal with the wantaway PSG star. The Ligue 1 side's demand for 300 million euros was a little
Foto:ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULATAFP
Marco Verratti
Another long-term Madrid target, the Italian was "more interested in winning titles than earning money," according to his agent, and so remained in Paris where domestic dominance all-but ensures that.
Foto:MIGUEL MEDINAAFP
David de Gea
The famous case of the fax machine that did not go beep in the night... Manchester United had formalised the deal but failed to submit the contract on time and Madrid were unable to register De Gea with the Spanish league authorities. At least that is Mad
Foto:DANI POZOAFP
Kun Agüero
"If Real Madrid had been interested in me obviously I'd be at Real Madrid," Agüero told reporters after a Champions League game for Manchester City against his former rivals. There is little doubt that Agüero would have crossed the great divide given the
Foto:DANI SANCHEZDIARIO AS
David Silva
It was 2010 when the Spain midfielder decided to seek a new challenge and asked to leave Valencia. Real Madrid were keen but Silva elected to join Manchester City instead as he felt he needed to leave LaLiga to improve as a player. "I don't regret not sig
Foto:CHEMA DIAZDIARIO AS
Robert Lewandoski
According to German daily Bild, Real Madrid made three separate attempts to sign the Poland striker in 2013, 2015 and 2018. Each time, Bayern rejected their offer for the forward, who this season could overtake Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to become the second h
Foto:CHRISTOF STACHEAFP