With Barcelona having stolen Malcolm away from Roma at the 11th hour, Goal looks back at other deals involving dramatic u-turns
Getty ImagesDimitar Berbatov to Man City
With both Manchester sides battling to sign Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov in 2008, the Bulgarian frontman had a difficult decision to make. Spurs had accepted an offer from City, though the striker wanted to sign for United.
When Berbatov flew into Manchester to speak to City officials, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was at the airport to pick him up, much to the player's surprise. United then got their man for a price lower than City had offered.
"I am flattered that he [Ferguson] gave me so much of his time," Berbatov said. "He personally came to pick me up at the airport. It was a shock to me, but it was a pleasure to get to know him."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRomelu Lukaku to Chelsea
After a 25-goal campaign with Everton, Romelu Lukaku had his pick of Champions League clubs to join ahead of the 2017-18 season.
As the reigning Premier League champions, Chelsea were the clear frontrunners, with manager Antonio Conte desperate to sign a striker who had been discarded by the Blues during Jose Mourinho's tenure at Stamford Bridge.
However, much to the Italian's disappointment, United were ultimately willing to stump up more cash for the Belgium international, who moved to Old Trafford for a whopping £75 million.
Lukaku has proved worth every penny, though, netting 27 times in his first year on Manchester before then proving himself one of the world's elite forwards with his performances at the 2018 World Cup.
Getty ImagesPedro to Man United
With Chelsea and Manchester United locked in a battle to sign Pedro from Barcelona in 2015, it was a matter of urgency which closed the deal.
United officials had flown to Spain to talk to the forward but the winger's agent later said that the Manchester side had, metaphorically speaking, "fallen asleep" during the protracted negotiations, thus allowing Chelsea to swoop in and take Pedro to west London for £19m.
GettyEmmanuel Petit to Tottenham
As the story goes, Emmanuel Petit was in London for talks to sign with Tottenham in 1997.
During discussions with Spurs chairman Alan Sugar, the Frenchman became aware of interest from north London rivals Arsenal, who told Petit not to put pen-to-paper at White Hart Lane until he had spoken with compatriot Arsene Wenger.
With his options now open, Petit was sent back to his hotel in a taxi paid by Spurs to think things over, only for the World Cup winner to take a detour to Highbury and sign with the Gunners instead.