7. Alan Shearer – Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United.
Two years after winning the league title with Blackburn, Shearer joined his beloved Newcastle in a then world transfer record fee of £15m in 1996.
The England striker had previously agreed terms with Ferguson and the Red Devils, but turned them down at the 11th hour in favour of the Magpies.
Although Shearer would go onto become the highest ever Premier League scorer, the forward would never win another trophy, whilst United dominated domestic football in Britain.
6. Robin Van Persie – Arsenal to Manchester United.
In the summer of 2012 it had become clear that Arsenal forward Van Persie would be leaving the club, with just one year remaining on the Dutchman’s contract the Gunners needed to cash in.
Having been the top-scorer in England the previous campaign there were several suitors from around Europe keen on the striker, but it would be rivals United that signed him.
Despite a previously fierce rivalry between Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, Van Persie made a £24m switch to Old Trafford – much to the disappointment of Gunners fans – and went onto be top-scorer again in 2012/13.
5. Ashley Cole – Arsenal to Chelsea.
Cole had built quite a reputation for himself at Highbury since progressing from the club’s youth academy, becoming one of the best full-backs in world football and helping the Gunners to trophy success.
But in 2006 super-rich Chelsea came calling after just winning the Premier League title. Cole would lose many admirers after meeting secretly with the Blues and Arsenal fans have never forgiven the defender.
The left-back would be known as ‘Cashley’ for what was seen as a mercenary move to Stamford Bridge, but Cole has since gone onto win the Premier League, FA Cup three times, Champions League and Europa League, whilst the north London club have picked up no silverware in the same period.
4. Sol Campbell – Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal.
Some rivalries in English football are incredibly fierce and one of those is the hatred Arsenal and Spurs fans have for each other in north London.
So when Campbell – one of the best defenders in the country in 2001 and Tottenham legend – left White Hart Lane on a free transfer to go to Highbury, sparks would fly.
The abuse handed out to the centre-back in the coming years would go beyond the limits of football, but with two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, Campbell had the last laugh.
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