Probably the Worst Football Transfers in 2020s

By: Olena

Posted: January 16, 2024

Updated: January 16, 2024

Not all expensive transfers meet fans and owners’ expectations
Let's go through the worst football transfers in 2020s (so far)

Not all expensive transfers meet football fans and managers’ expectations, and the past four years were the perfect example. This piece explores the worst football transfers in 2020s, focusing on players with minimal involvement yet a high price tag.

Worst Football Transfers in 2020s (so far)

Although subjective, a bad transfer can be calculated if a football player was advantageous to their teams in certain circumstances, whether scoring a goal or saving a penalty kick crucial to winning a major trophy. On the other hand, the number of goals scored overall in all comps - the more, the better, for example, Harry Kane. Despite not winning a trophy with Spurs, he is still considered an excellent transfer for the team, probably the greatest ever. However, if a striker doesn’t or rarely scores goals, or a defender regularly concedes penalties, or a goalkeeper who makes grave mistakes, those are usually considered failures. In this article, we excluded the likes of Mudrik, Caicedo, and Darwin Nuñez (some might say he has been a bad transfer) because they have yet to prove their worth. For example, although Mudryk has been at Chelsea for a year and hasn’t impacted the team, his odds to shine are still good at online sportsbooks in the UK. Considering all the abovementioned, what are the worst football transfers in 2020s? Let’s figure it out.

Jadon Sancho - Borussia Dortmund to Manchester Utd

This was one of the most expensive transfers in United's history and one of the worst in football history. During his spell with Dortmund, Jadon Sancho was recognised as the most talented winger, the future Ronaldo, but then he moved to United for 80 million euros. As a result, the player rarely scored goals, didn’t improve the team’s performance, and is mainly remembered for the beef with Erik Ten Hag, United’s manager. In 55 games, he scored only nine goals.

worst football transfers in 2020s — Picture Source: Wikimedia Commons

He is set to leave the club this transfer window. Whether it will be another English club or Saudi Arabia, Bet365 can provide many insights into Sancho’s future.

Antony - Ajax to Manchester Utd

Another Man United failure and one of the worst football transfers in 2020s is Antony. It was clear from the start that he came to United because Ten Haag used to coach Ajax and knows the player, so everyone expected that Antony would be implemented perfectly into Ten Haag’s system. It’s 2024, and there is still no system or style of play at United. Antony is not used as he should be. In 39 games, he only scored four goals - a terrible stat for a winger bought for 95 million euros.

Sandro TonaliI - AC Milan to Newcastle United

Tonali was one of the crucial players to win the 2021/22 Scudetto for AC Milan, one of the current 2023/24 Europa League playoffs leaders, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Calabria, and Theo Hernandez. His transfer to Newcastle made him the most expensive Italian footballer ever, and it all started well. His debut against Aston Villa was impressive; he played well against Liverpool until getting subbed off, which probably caused the team’s loss. Then it turned out that Tonali was betting, which was prohibited. Eventually, he was banned from playing football for ten months. Newcastle paid 70 million euros for a player they can only use next season.

Fabio Silva - FC Porto to Wolverhampton

Youngsters are a vast gamble regarding transfers; Joao Felix is a good example. Fabio Silva looked like another win-win bet at online gambling sites in the UK; he came to England after a good run with Porto, and in 54 appearances, he scored four goals. The club then sent the striker on multiple loan deals, but that didn’t improve his stats much. As a result, the 35-million-euro transfer became one of the worst football transfers in 2020s.