De Jong, Messi and five players who joined clubs against their will

James Shearman

Updated: 29 Jun 2022 16:22 BST
5 min read

Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Frenkie de Jong is a top transfer target for Erik ten Hag, but the Dutch midfielder's unwillingness to swap Barcelona for Manchester United could spell disaster for both clubs.

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De Jong's move to Old Trafford had looked to be close, with various outlets claiming that a deal for the player was imminent, but reports emerging from Spain suggest that might be quite far from the case.

"De Jong is determined to stay with the Blaugrana," write Spanish daily, Sport. "Right now, he has no intention of leaving and he has transmitted this feeling to the two clubs.

"The situation has become tense. No matter how much pressure is put on him, the player wants to succeed in Barcelona. In recent weeks, Frenkie has come to doubt even his agent, Ali Dursun, because of his insistence in placing him at United."

Lionel Messi - Barcelona to PSG

Arguably the most high-profile transfer ever, Lionel Messi's move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer was against the player's will.

Messi had spent his entire career at Barcelona, earning legendary status, and always looked likely to retire at Camp Nou.

But, due to La Liga's ruling on Barca's terrible financial status, the Catalan club could not afford to keep him around.

''I thought it was all sorted, but at the last minute because of the league [financial controls] thing it couldn’t happen,'' Messi said. ''It was all agreed but it wasn’t to be.

''I can tell you that I did all that I could to stay, because I wanted to stay.''

Joe Hart - Manchester City to Torino

Having cemented himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Pep Guardiola's arrival shockingly spelled the end of Joe Hart's Manchester City career.

Guardiola wanted a sweeper keeper, a role he did not think Hart could fulfill, which led to the ex-England international's move to Torino in 2016.

"How could I not be happy to stay? I love this place and I love everything about Manchester City,'' Hart once said about his former club.

"I have been here for a long time. I feel like it is my club now and I want to be here as long as I can."

Andy Carroll - Newcastle to Liverpool

Liverpool made Andy Carroll their record signing, at £35 million, as the replacement for Fernando Torres in January 2011.

But, Carroll never actually wanted the move to Anfield, instead hoping to sign a new contract with hometown club Newcastle.

''I was injured at the time and all I was thinking was, ‘please, just fail the medical’,'' he told the Daily Mail.

''The minute I got in that helicopter I wanted to come back. I knew it had to happen. Whatever age, I needed to walk back on that pitch and play for Newcastle again.''

Frenkie de Jong - Barcelona to Manchester United

Barcelona are in such financial trouble that De Jong simply has to leave, likely to be in a deal worth up to €80m.

So, once the move is completed, which is expected in the coming days, the Dutch midfielder will join the list of players to have moved to another club without wanting to.

📝 - Fees have been sorted between #mufc and Frenkie de Jong and it's now just about sorting the structure of the payment. [@jac_talbot]
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) June 28, 2022

De Jong will enjoy working under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, who he was previously coached by at Ajax.

But, the reason De Jong left Ajax is that Barcelona was his dream club to play for, and apparently that has not changed.

Angel Di Maria - Real Madrid to Manchester United

Angel Di Maria's time at Manchester United was destined to fail from the moment he admitted to wanting to stay at Real Madrid.

The Argentine even wrote a letter to Los Blancos faithful letting them know that we wished to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

''My time at Real Madrid has come to an end. It’s impossible, in just a few lines, to put all I have gained here, but this letter is my way of explaining how I’m feeling now that I’m bidding the club farewell,'' he said in his open letter.

''Over the four years I have had the honour of wearing this shirt, I have felt nothing but pride about everything that has happened and all I have achieved together with my team-mates.

''Sadly, now I have to go, but I want to make it clear that this was never my wish. I’ve always wanted to progress, as anyone else does in their job.''