Fans vote for top 10 most embarrassing transfers of all time

Fans have ranked the biggest transfer flops of all time and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire tops the list.

With the summer transfer window underway and Premier League clubs already splashing the cash on new recruits, a recent study has looked back at some of the most embarrassing transfers in seasons gone by.

Maguire was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Leicester City in 2019 for £80 million but has often come under criticism for his performances in a United shirt.

The 30-year-old has been the subject of mass speculation after struggling for regular game time under Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag last season and could be among 13 players sold this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

To add fuel to speculation, he did not feature in Manchester United’s kit launch.

However, Maguire has reportedly been given a pay rise as a result of the club's third-place finish in the Premier League which took them back into the Champions League, suggesting he may still have a future at Old Trafford.

Nevertheless, fans have dubbed the England International the biggest flop in top-flight history, with Paul Pogba coming in second place for £89.3 million return to Manchester United in 2016.

Andy Carroll rounded out the top three for his £35m switch from Newcastle to Liverpool in 2011, where he scored just 11 goals in 58 appearances for the Merseyside club.

But it is Chelsea who are considered to make the worst signings – with three entries in the top 10 costing them a total £163.3 million.

This includes Romelu Lukaku's £97.5m move from Inter Milan in 2021, Adrian Mutu's £15.8m switch from Parma in 2003 and Fernando Torres' famous move from Liverpool in 2011, for £50 million.

On the other hand, Manchester City are widely considered to get their business right, Erling Haaland's £51.2 million from Borussia Dortmund last year unsurprisingly named the most successful of all time.

Meanwhile, Eric Cantona's 1992 move from Leeds United to Manchester United, for £1.2 million, was also a popular choice, along with both of Cristiano Ronaldo's moves to and from Manchester United.

Here are both lists in full, as voted for by 2,000 fans, courtesy of CopyBet.

Top 10 most embarrassing signings of all time:

1) Harry Maguire – Leicester to Manchester United for £80 million in 2019

2) Paul Pogba – Juventus to Manchester United for £89.3 million in 2016

3) Andy Carroll – Newcastle to Liverpool for £35 million in 2011

4) Ali Dia – free agent to Southampton in 1996

5) Romelu Lukaku – Inter Milan to Chelsea for £97.5 million in 2021

6) Eden Hazard – Chelsea to Real Madrid for £150 million in 2019

7) Adrian Mutu – Parma to Chelsea for £15.8 million in 2003

8) Fernando Torres – Liverpool to Chelsea for £50 million in 2011

9) Ángel Di María – Real Madrid to Man United for £59.7 million in 2014

10) Joey Barton – Burnley to Rangers on a free transfer in 2016

Top 10 most successful signings of all time:

1) Erling Haaland – Borussia Dortmund to Man City for £51.2 million in 2022

2) Eric Cantona – Leeds United to Manchester United for £1.2 million in 1992

3) Cristiano Ronaldo – Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United for £17.1 million in 2003

4) Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United to Real Madrid for £80 million in 2009

5) Kenny Dalglish – Celtic to Liverpool for £440,000 in 1977

6) Thierry Henry – Juventus to Arsenal for £14.5 million in 1999

7) Mo Salah – Roma to Liverpool for £34 million in 2017

8) Wayne Rooney – Everton to Manchester United for £33.3 million in 2004

9) Roy Keane – Nottingham Forest to Man United for £3.75 million in 1993

10) Diego Maradona – Napoli to Barcelona for £7 million in 1984

Topics: Harry Maguire, Manchester United, Romelu Lukaku, Andy Carroll, Paul Pogba, Football, Fan Reactions

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno