IT’S January and that can only mean one thing – the football transfer rumour mill has kicked back into overdrive.
For the most part, market gossip is a fun distraction from match action and a glimpse into a club’s spending plans.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo ever return to Old Trafford?Credit: Getty Images – Getty
However, some rumours come up time and time again, refusing to go away.
Granted, occasionally these sagas do actually come off. Gareth Bale did actually return to Tottenham. Antoine Griezmann did actually sign for Barcelona.
But for all of these proper endings are dozens of non-starters that become jokes in their own right, just ask Leandro Damiao and Tottenham.
Here, SunSport details the long-running rumours that continue to this day – and show little sign of going away.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Man Utd
As Real Madrid have found since Ronaldo left for Juventus two years ago, replacing the Portuguese forward is really hard.
Manchester United have enjoyed Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie’s best efforts but, in recent years, an all-conquering world-class forward has been missing at Old Trafford.
So why not bring back Ronaldo?
It is no surprise that the 35-year-old has been endlessly linked with his old team, with Patrice Evra once claiming a 2013 return was on the agenda and talk of a possible return in virtually every window since.
Ivan Perisic to the Premier League
The phrase ‘Spurs linked with Perisic’ could could have been a headline at any point in the last decade.
But, reports on the continent believe it could FINALLY be happening with the winger currently plying his trade at Inter Milan.
As a decent attacker for various European clubs, yet one who is oddly plausible and seemingly affordable, Perisic has refused to budge out of gossip columns.
Arsenal, Chelsea and, in particular, Manchester United have all been touted for a move that stubbornly continues to not happen.
Ivan Perisic has long been talked up for a move to EnglandCredit: EPA
Bas Dost to Newcastle
Good news for Newcastle fans came last month when Dutch marksman Dost completed a move to Club Brugge.
It meant this month would not feature a refresh of the rumours linking the Toon with the striker.
Dost has made a career out of scoring a mountain of goals for well-known clubs that nonetheless miss out on entering the elite, making him a natural target for Newcastle.
If the 31-year-old starts hitting the net in Belgium, you can guess what will happen next.
Bas Dost was once a very familiar name to Newcastle fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Kalidou Koulibaly to Man City
The following fees have been reported on in Manchester City’s pursuit of Napoli star Koulibaly: £54million, £59m, £67.5m, £72m, £81m, £90m and £110m.
The actual amount of money City have handed the Italian club: £0.
Staunch Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is as a tough negotiator who will not give ground in negotiations.
And yet he admitted in September that he regrets turning down one mega offer: “I was incorrect not to sell Koulibaly for £110m.”
It means the talk of a deal continues to this day.
Kalidou Koulibaly has made himself into one of the world’s top defenders at NapoliCredit: Sportphoto24/Giuseppe Maffia
Neymar to Barcelona
Neymar was unveiled as Paris Saint-Germain’s world record signing from Barcelona three years, five months and two days ago.
The first report of him heading back to the Camp Nou landed roughly three years, five months and one day ago.
Football fans, pundits and journalists worldwide have long struggled with the Brazilian’s plan of leaving one incredibly massive club to sign for one slightly-less incredibly massive club.
Indeed, Neymar himself appeared to want a return in 2019 before a complex deal collapsed, with there still talk of a deal today.
Barcelona were caught out by PSG’s shock £198m move for Neymar in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
Paul Pogba to Juventus
Manchester United’s relationship with Pogba has always been complicated.
As a world record capture four-and-a-half years ago, the midfielder has struggled to consistently hit the form he showed at Juventus.
The Old Lady, along with Real Madrid, have constantly been touted for an ambitious swoop to return the player to his natural home ever since.
Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has only fuelled the rumour mill.
Paul Pogba’s Man Utd future continues to be cast in doubtCredit: EPA
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid
We’ve all seen the picture of a young Kylian Mbappe, sat in his bedroom, his walls plastered with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Madrid.
It is inevitable therefore, that the PSG forward would cut ties with the club who has helped turn him into a world superstar and sign for Los Blancos.
Many in Spain see it as the natural order of things, especially with French icon Zinedine Zidane in charge at the Bernabeu.
Alas, Mbappe has still not signed a new PSG contract and the only acts that can end this rumour are him signing for Real or retiring.
Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival in Paris may help tempt Kylian Mbappe into stayingCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi to Man City
Manchester City’s interest in Messi did not start when they tried to take advantage of last summer’s contract saga.
Nor did it begin with Pep Guardiola’s arrival as coach.
No, it’s been claimed that City owner Sheikh Mansour vowed to sign Messi after taking over the club in 2008.
12 years on, at the very least, this epic tale will find its conclusion when the out-of-contract Argentine either commits to Barcelona or heads for pastures new in the summer.
PSG and MLS have also been linked with Lionel MessiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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