Diego Maradona in Marseille (1990)
If Bernard Tapie had managed to convince Diego Maradona to join Olympique de Marseille, Corrado Serlaino, the president of Naples, refused to accept.
Hristo Stoichkov at PSG (1992)
While he has just won the C1 with Barça, Hristo Stoichkov, one year from the end of his contract, is looking for a new challenge. Michel Denisot, president of PSG, did not miss the opportunity and convinced him to join Paris. But Joan Gaspard, then vice-president of Barça, categorically refuses to let him leave for Paris.
Miroslav Klose in Auxerre (1993)
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, Jozef Klose, former AJA striker Miroslav Klose was put on trial when he was only 15 years old. Clumsy, he does not convince Guy Roux.
Diego Forlan in Nancy (1994)
Determined to win in Europe, Diego Forlan leaves Uruguay at only 15 years old. Landed in France, he made a passage through the training centers of Nantes then Nancy, but was not retained.
Ronaldo in Cannes (1994)
Two million euros: this is the sum requested from Cannes for the transfer of Ronaldo, then 18 years old. A sum considered high by the leaders of the Riviera.
David Trezeguet at PSG (1995)
Landed in France in the summer of 1995, David Trezeguet was put on trial by PSG. The native of Rouen wishes to stay but demands the provision of an apartment. The Parisian leaders refuse.
Roberto Carlos au PSG (1995)
Having recently become a Brazilian international, Roberto Carlos is close to joining PSG. But if Luis Fernandez is convinced, the Parisian leaders are reluctant to put 5 million francs while PSG can rely on Patrick Colleter.
Samuel Eto’o I’m PSG (1995)
Put on trial when he was 14, Samuel Eto’o was rejected because he had no papers.
Zidane and Dugarry at PSG (1996)
Brilliant with Bordeaux, which they led to the UEFA Cup final, Zinedine Zidane and Christophe Dugarry were close to joining PSG. But the 35 million francs claimed by the Girondins are considered excessive by the Parisian leaders who do not want to sell Raï.
Ronaldo au PSG (1997)
Cannes are not the only League club to have passed up the opportunity to welcome Ronaldo. As the Brazilian prepares to leave Barça, PSG wants to strike a blow by offering the star of the Seleçao. But Pierre Lescure, the boss of Canal + refuses, not wishing to crush the other clubs in the championship out of respect for the supporter subscribers of other clubs.
Mario Jardel at OM (2001)
Back at the head of OM, Bernard Tapie wants to hit hard for his return. His priority target is Mario Jardel, who stacks the goals with Galatasaray. But if the Brazilian agrees as well as the Istanbul club, agents derail the case.
Youri Djorkaeff at OM (2001)
Mario Jardel is not the only prestigious target targeted by Bernard Tapie. The new OM boss also hopes to recruit Youri Djorkaeff. But if he convinces the world champion, he does not manage to agree with the leaders of Kaiserslautern.
Adriano at PSG (2001)
When Vampeta arrived at PSG, Inter Milan retained part of the Brazilian’s rights. Also, when the Parisians give it up to Flamengo against Reinaldo and Adriano, they have to choose one of the two cariocas and leave the other to the Milanese. The Red and Blue let their flair speak for themselves and opt for Reinaldo…
Cristiano Ronaldo in Lyon (2002)
In the summer of 2002, Olympique Lyonnais could have exchanged Tony Vairelles for two players including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Zlatan Ibrahiovic
In search of a striker able to make people forget Sonny Anderon, Olympique Lyonnais had two names in mind, those of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giovane Elber. Preference was given to the Brazilian due to his experience.
Kaka at PSG (2003)
Landed at AC Milan in 2003, Kaka is crossed by Rivaldo and Rui Costa. Leonardo, sporting director of the Rossoneri, wants to lend him to PSG but the deal is unsuccessful.
Antoine Griezmann in Lyon (2004)
Native of Mâcon, Antoine Griezmann tries out for Olympique Lyonnais when he is 13 years old. His physique serves him well and OL do not follow up. Like Saint-Etienne, Sochaux or Metz.
Cristiano Ronaldo au PSG (2004)
In the process of selling Gabriel Heinze to Manchester United, PSG are offered the loan of Cristiano Ronaldo, who arrived the previous summer at the Red Devils in order to lower the price. Francis Graille does not follow up…
Ivan Rakitic in Bordeaux (2005)
Trained at FC Basel, Ivan Rakitic is offered to several European teams including the Girondins de Bordeaux. But Charles Camporro, the sports director of the Aquitaine club, is not convinced despite the 360,000 euros to invest.
Javier Pastore in Saint-Etienne (2006)
Before arriving at PSG in the summer of 2011, Javier Pastore had been tested by Saint-Etienne in 2006. He was then considered top tender.
Robert Lewandowski in Lens (2007)
19-year-old Robert Lewandowski made a promising debut at Znicz Pruskow. To the point of interest Lens. But, the northern club prefers to put the 4 M€ on Kanga Akalé.
Luka Modric in Marseille (2007)
In search of reinforcement in the midfield after the departure of Franck Ribéry, Olympique de Marseille had been offered Luka Modric, a promising midfielder from Dinamo Zagreb. But OM did not follow up.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan at OM (2008)
Tested by Olympique de Marseille when he was only 19, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was considered too frail by Marseille recruiters.
Herman Crespo au PSG (2008)
Eager to take the lead of PSG, Michel Moulin promises the arrival of Herman Crespo and Deco. But Colony Capital ultimately prefers Charles Villeneuve…
Paul Pogba 50e
On leaving the Le Havre training center, Paul Pogba was very close to joining OL, but the Rhone club was not sufficiently convincing and the native of Lagny-sur-Marne favored the track leading to Manchester. United.
Luis Suarez in Marseilles (2010)
Particularly prolific with Ajax Amsterdam, Luis Suarez could have joined Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2010. But Didier Deschamps refused, preferring to see OM bet 30 million euros on Loic Rémy and André-Pierre Gignac.
Dayot Upamecano à l’OM (2015)
Considered today as one of the best defenders of his generation, Dayot Umpamecano could have joined OM in the summer of 2015. But if Marcelo Bielsa went out of his way to recruit him, his leaders refused to pay 3 million euros for a 15-year-old.
N’Golo Kanté at OM (2015)
Particularly impressive with Caen, N’Golo Kanté caught the eye of many European recruiters including those of OM. But the rating of the native of Suresnes took off and the Norman leaders claim no less than 8 million euros. Six months later, the man who would become world champion three years later signed up with Leicester.
