Karim Benzema to Arsenal, Lionel Messi to Manchester City and Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United: Seven transfers that just WON’T go away
Football Whispers run down the nine biggest long-running sagas and debate whether they'll ever come to a conclusion
THE transfer window has now well and truly slammed shut, with all business now set to be put on hold until the summer.
But as is always the way, no sooner had the deadline passed than the same, old rumours reared their ugly heads once more.
Karim Benzema to Arsenal, Edinson Cavani to Manchester United, Alexandre Lacazette to join the Premier League, we've heard them all before, we'll hear them all again.
Keep up to date with ALL the football news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary.
But is there any truth in them? Will the proposed deals ever actually come to fruition or much like a broken record will it just flicker and frustrate for the rest of our lives?
Football Whispers has scoured the archives for those transfer rumours that just won’t go away.
Karim Benzema to Arsenal: 2009-present
EVER since leaving Lyon in 2009 as a 22-year-old, the French forward has been touted as a possible Arsenal transfer target.
Now, as Real Madrid look set to let the 29-year-old leave the Bernabeu, the Gunners' name is back on the radar.
Since joining the Galacticos, Benzema has netted 173 times in just 344 games, but with fans booing him recently, it would appear his time in Spain could be up.
It's now up to Arsene Wenger - or perhaps a new Arsenal boss - to bid appropriately to put this long-running saga to bed.
Edinson Cavani to Manchester United: 2013-present
WHEN he was a goal-grabbing forward at Napoli in 2013, Edinson Cavani was wanted by everyone.
Paris Saint-Germain won the race and he’s been linked with a move away in every window since.
Even when Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined, it didn’t stop the Uruguayan being touted as a possible signing at Old Trafford.
23 goals in just 22 Ligue 1 appearances will do little to stem the tide and with Ibra still debating whether to stay on at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho may well turn his attention to Cavani while still in his prime.
Nicolas Gaitan to Manchester United: 2011-present
THERE'S a certain belief amongst Manchester United fans that winger Nicolas Gaitan doesn’t actually exist.
The Red Devils have signed him on three occasions, back in 2011 for £40million.
He moved to Atletico Madrid last summer for around £21.2m, with the Old Trafford faithful once again left exasperated as they look to sign an out-an-out winger as they rely on natural strikers Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford alongside the fading talents of Ashley Young.
Lionel Messi to Manchester City: 2009-present
EVER since they were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Manchester City have been linked with a move for Lionel Messi.
Back in 2009 it was suggested that City would buy out his contract for £140m and pay him £90m-a-year in wages.
Now, with Pep Guardiola in charge, this rumour will run and run, with City telling the La Liga giants they're willing splash £100m to bring the Argentine winger to the club... and pay him £800,000 per week.
Stand by in the summer to see if this mega Messi deal actually works out...
Alexandre Lacazette to the Premier League: 2013-present
YOU name them, they’ve been linked with the French striker.
West Ham had a bid rejected in 2016 and Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all shown interest lately.
After 81 league goals in four seasons, Lacazette is as hot as ever, with Arsene Wenger's side the most likely to make a move.
The only difference now is, he’s admitted he will leave Lyon in the summer... so get your chequebooks at the ready.
Marco Verratti away from Paris Saint-Germain: 2013-present
ALMOST immediately after he signed for the Parisian club from Pescara in 2012, the Italian midfielder has been rumoured to be heading out of the Parc des Princes.
A target for Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, PSG fans believe that if Paul Pogba is worth £89m, Verratti must be worth double.
However, the 19-cap Italy international is now into his fifth season in France and appears well set.
Lucas Moura to Liverpool: 2012-present
LONG before Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield, Liverpool were being linked with Brazilian winger Lucas Moura.
First reported in 2014 under Brendan Rodgers' tenure, he would say a few nice words about the Premier League and he’s always set to leave Ligue 1.
If his form dips, he’s linked with a move. When he plays well, he’s ready to hop across the channel.
But with Liverpool looking to add a genuine winger - and a striker or two - this summer, it could finally be the time to link up compatriots Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.
Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United: 2014-present
THIS one looks like it could actually happen in the summer, shock-horror.
Manchester United are ready to pay the £90m release clause to bring Antoine Griezmann to Old Trafford.
However, it’s been a story since he was at former club Real Sociedad in 2014.
Back then his clause was down at a mere £25m, but he wasn’t even remotely the star player that he is today.
Danilo to Tottenham: 2014-present
16-CAP Portugal international Danilo has been a long-term Premier League target, for teams such Arsenal and Manchester City.
However, it's Tottenham who have been linked with the defensive midfielder time and time again since his Maritimo days in 2014.
Eventually the Guinea-Bissau-born star joined Porto in 2015, where he is into his second season at the club.
With Spurs still continuing their charge towards their first-ever Premier League title, Danilo could be just the man to take them to the next level.
