From Shearer to Alonso - Six heartbreaking summer transfers

Everyone loves a summer transfer but here are some that, for different reasons, were less ‘Here we go!’ and more ‘Oh no!’

PASS MATER: Xabi Alonso of Liverpool jumps for joy as he celebrates the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Liverpool at the KC Stadium on April 25, 2009. Pic: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.

Alan Shearer, Blackburn to Newcastle for £15m, July 1996 

All my family are Blackburn; my dad went to school there, my grandparents bought a house from Jack Walker overlooking Ewood Park. Born to northern parents in the south I was the only kid in school who supported Rovers, but it was ace – we were promoted to the Premier League when I was four and crowned champions when I was seven. A year later everything changed: Kenny Dalglish was no longer our manager and Alan Shearer was on the verge of joining Newcastle. Aged eight, I scrawled a tear-stained letter pleading for my hero not to leave and handed it to Martin Tyler – I was best mates with his son at school. He promised to hand it to Alan but I’m 99% sure he never did. Can you imagine: Martin in the tunnel before a game, walking up to Shearer and saying, “Oh Alan, before you go, you know your move from this sinking ship of a club to your hometown side for a world-record fee? Well, thing is, my son’s friend has written you this note asking if you’d reconsider.” Shearer didn’t stay. You broke my heart, Alan. MB