1. Gerard Pique (Man Utd to Barcelona)
Gerard Pique’s departure from Old Trafford in 2008 may have seemed beneficial to all parties involved, but in hindsight, it was a grave error by Ferguson and Manchester United. Pique, once picked up for nothing, was sold back to Barcelona for a meager £5m ($6.2m). Despite one poor performance, which led to speculation about his suitability for the Premier League, Pique flourished at Barcelona, winning every major honor in the game.
2. Kevin De Bruyne (Chelsea to Wolfsburg)
Chelsea’s decision to offload Kevin De Bruyne to Wolfsburg in January 2012 for £18m ($22.6m) remains a questionable move. Despite initial promise, De Bruyne found himself sidelined under Jose Mourinho, feeling unfairly ostracized. His subsequent success at Manchester City highlights Chelsea’s failure to recognize his potential.
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3. Mohamed Salah (Chelsea to Roma)
Jose Mourinho’s handling of Mohamed Salah during his time at Chelsea led to the Egyptian winger’s departure. Sold to Roma for a modest fee of €20m (£17m/$21.4m), Salah thrived in Serie A before joining Liverpool and becoming one of the Premier League’s standout performers.
4. Xabi Alonso (Liverpool to Real Madrid)
Liverpool’s decision to offload Xabi Alonso to accommodate Gareth Barry remains a head-scratcher. Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid left a void in Liverpool’s midfield, with the Spaniard proving his worth at the highest level.
5. David Beckham (Man Utd to Real Madrid)
David Beckham’s departure from Manchester United to Real Madrid marked the end of an era. Despite off-field controversies, Beckham’s talent and contribution to United’s success were undeniable, making his transfer fee seem inadequate in retrospect.
6. Carlos Tevez (Man City to Juventus)
Manchester City’s decision to part ways with Carlos Tevez to Juventus for a nominal fee belied the Argentine’s talent and impact. Tevez’s success in Turin showcased City’s oversight in undervaluing his abilities.
7. Cole Palmer (Manchester City to Chelsea)
Manchester City’s recent sale of Cole Palmer to Chelsea may prove to be a misstep. Palmer’s burgeoning talent has already caught the eye at Stamford Bridge, highlighting City’s potential oversight in letting go of a promising prospect.