Nine transfers that came out of nowhere: Campbell, Robinho…

It’s harder than ever to keep an incoming transfer under wraps, but the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all done so in the past. 

In the age of social media and ‘in the know’ accounts, Liverpool surprised everybody with their swift acquisition of Darwin Nunez while Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United last summer was a bolt from the blue.

We’ve identified another nine transfers that seemed to come out of nowhere.

The king of all surprise transfers.

By the end of the 2000-01 season, it was clear Campbell had outgrown Tottenham – he was one of Europe’s best centre-backs while Spurs were floundering in mid-table.

His contract had expired and it was expected that Campbell would join an elite Champions League club abroad. Around the same time, Arsenal announced a press conference to unveil the signing of goalkeeper Richard Wright.

The scenes when Campbell walked out instead were unprecedented. In an interview with Spurs Monthly magazine, the England defender said that he would never play for Arsenal and the reaction from Tottenham fans was apoplectic.

Campbell himself has said: “[Arsenal vice-chairman] David Dein made me feel protected. He was going to help and promised to be there for me. Come to us, he said, and you will be part of our family. We will protect you.”

‘Judas’ ended up winning two league titles and three FA Cups at Highbury while Spurs fans never, ever forgave him.

It’s August 2008. Manchester City are aggressively mid-table, their new manager is Mark Hughes and their star summer signing was £18million striker Jo. The shadow of the English and European champions at nearby Old Trafford looms large.

But what’s this? A mysterious billionaire has decided to buy the club and Robinho