Arjen Robben. While playing for PSV, Robben was invited by Sir Alex Ferguson for a tour of Old Trafford and seemed poised to join Manchester United.

However, after a discussion with Director Peter Kenyon, who had recently left Manchester United for Chelsea, the Dutch star changed course to Stamford Bridge for approximately 21 million USD in 2004. He was one of three high-profile signings for Chelsea, alongside Mateja Kezman and Petr Cech.

Under Claudio Ranieri and then Jose Mourinho, Robben quickly shone, contributing significantly to Chelsea's first Premier League title in the Abramovich era.

John Obi Mikel. While playing for Lyn (Norway), Mikel signed a pre-contract and even wore a Manchester United jersey at a press conference in 2005.

However, Chelsea swiftly intervened with a more lucrative offer and secretly persuaded the Nigerian midfielder to change his mind. After an intense legal battle, Mikel officially joined Chelsea in 2006 and spent his entire peak career at Stamford Bridge.

"Sir Alex Ferguson thought he had me," Mikel later told Talksport. "I did the press conference, pictures were everywhere. But then Abramovich and Chelsea found out, they sent people down to Norway. They got me out of my apartment, I went missing for a couple of hours, and next thing I knew I was at Chelsea."

Dimitar Berbatov. On the final day of the transfer window in 9/2008, Berbatov left Tottenham to join Manchester United for a fee of around 55 million USD. At the time, Manchester City seemed to have the upper hand, but the Bulgarian striker insisted he only wanted to play for the "Red Devils".

"Manchester City wanted to sign me on the last day," Berbatov later told the Telegraph. "I told my agent: 'Just go away, we’re going to Manchester United'. Because of the history, the name, the players, the manager and the shirt. I never doubted the move to Old Trafford."

Robinho. On deadline day in 9/2008, Manchester City made headlines by signing Robinho from Real Madrid for approximately 58 million USD. Chelsea was the Brazilian forward's preferred destination, but weeks of unsuccessful negotiations led Real to accept Manchester City's higher offer.

This was the first high-profile signing by the Abu Dhabi owners in the Premier League. Interestingly, Robinho initially admitted he thought the only Manchester club was Manchester United.

Willian. In the summer of 2013, Willian arrived at Tottenham's training center, completed a medical, and was about to sign a contract. Liverpool were also in pursuit, but at the last minute, Chelsea intervened and secured a five-year deal worth around 47 million USD. For eight hours, Chairman Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board tried to persuade him, but to no avail.

Agent Kia Joorabchian informed Willian of Roman Abramovich's offer as soon as he entered the medical room. The Brazilian midfielder later recalled: "I said, ‘Okay, I don’t sign, I go to Chelsea, I don’t want to sign with Tottenham’".

Alexis Sanchez. In 1/2018, Alexis Sanchez was close to joining Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. But Manchester United swooped in, offering the highest salary in the Premier League to recruit the Chilean forward in a swap deal with Arsenal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The contract, announced with a now-famous piano-playing video, was seen as a dramatic coup by manager Jose Mourinho, as Sanchez was a top Premier League star at the time. However, the forward scored only 5 goals before moving to Inter Milan, becoming one of Manchester United's worst signings.

Cristiano Ronaldo. In the summer of 2021, Ronaldo decided to leave Juventus after a trophyless season. He reportedly negotiated and even reached an agreement with Manchester City.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson personally called and successfully persuaded his former student to return to Old Trafford. Manchester United agreed to Juventus' transfer fee and offered the Portuguese superstar the club's highest salary in a two-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

Luis Diaz. In 1/2022, Tottenham pursued Diaz for six months and seemed to have reached an agreement with Porto. But when their offer of around 38 million USD was rejected, Liverpool immediately stepped in, securing the deal for 45 million USD, plus 27 million USD in add-ons.

To complete the deal before the winter transfer window closed, Liverpool even sent a team to Argentina, where Diaz was playing with the Colombian national team, for a medical. Diaz quickly integrated and became a key part of Liverpool's attack.

Moises Caicedo. Chelsea pursued Caicedo throughout the summer of 2023, but after numerous negotiations, they couldn't agree on a price. In early August, they offered 101 million USD, which was immediately rejected as it fell far short of Brighton's desired 127 million USD. On 10/8, Liverpool unexpectedly entered the race, offering 139 million USD, which Brighton accepted. The deal only needed the 21-year-old midfielder's approval.

However, Caicedo only wanted to join Chelsea and had even moved his belongings to London and agreed personal terms with the "Blues." This forced Chelsea to spend heavily to secure Caicedo. After agreeing to a British record fee of 146 million USD on 13/8, they conducted his medical the next day, signed him to an eight-year contract, and announced the Ecuadorian star.

Caicedo explained his rejection of Liverpool in favor of Chelsea at his unveiling later that day. He said playing for Chelsea was a childhood dream, inspired by watching his idols in the same position, Claude Makelele and N'golo Kante, play for the London club.

Eberechi Eze. After selling Son Heung-min to Los Angeles FC and with James Maddison facing a long-term injury, Tottenham actively negotiated with Crystal Palace for nearly two weeks and were close to signing Eze.

But it was Eze's call to Arteta that prompted Arsenal's management to hold an emergency meeting and decide to hijack Tottenham's target. On 20/8, Arsenal intervened and successfully signed Eze for 80 million USD plus 10 million USD in add-ons.

Hong Duy

Photo: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Action Images.