FULL LIST: Top 10 biggest bids rejected in football history

Atletico Madrid's Argentine forward #19 Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring their third goal during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 24, 2025. (Photo by Javier SORIANO / AFP)

The modern football transfer market has reached unprecedented financial heights, with clubs increasingly willing to spend well over £100 million to secure the world’s top talent. However, a review of the largest failed transfer attempts in football history shows that even eye-watering sums are not always enough to persuade clubs to sell their prized assets. As reported by Planet Football on Friday, topping the list is the reported £259 million bid made by Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal for French superstar Kylian Mbappe in 2023. Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly prepared to accept the offer, but the player declined the move, ultimately joining Real Madrid on a free transfer a year later. Another remarkable case involved Lionel Messi, with former Barcelona president Joan Laporta claiming that Inter Milan attempted to trigger a €250 million release clause for the Argentine in 2006. The offer was rejected, allowing Messi to remain at Barcelona, where he went on to become the club’s greatest-ever player. Real Madrid also features prominently in the list. The Spanish giants reportedly had a £171.7 million offer for Mbappe rejected by PSG in 2021 despite multiple attempts to sign the forward before his eventual arrival in Madrid. Liverpool have twice resisted enormous bids for key players. In 2023, the Merseyside club rejected a £150 million offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for Mohamed Salah, while Barcelona saw a £119 million bid for Philippe Coutinho turned down in 2017 before eventually securing the Brazilian for a higher fee several months later. One of the most surprising entries is Manchester City’s failed attempt to sign Kaká from AC Milan in 2009. Shortly after the club’s takeover by Abu Dhabi investors, City reportedly offered £100 million for the Brazilian playmaker, who opted to remain in Italy before joining Real Madrid later that year. Tottenham Hotspur also stood firm in 2021 when Manchester City submitted a £100 million offer for England captain Harry Kane. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy rejected the proposal, forcing City to look elsewhere before eventually signing Erling Haaland the following summer. More recently, Newcastle United initially rejected Liverpool’s £110 million bid for striker Alexander Isak before eventually agreeing to a British-reco