5 players fans will be happy weren't sold by their clubs this summer

The summer of 2015/16 was a busy time for clubs for different reasons. Manchester United bought new midfielders in view of Louis van Gaal’s philosophy, Bayern Munich bid farewell to Bastian Schweinsteiger and strengthened their wings and Liverpool lost Raheem Sterling and re-invested in yet another crop of promising, young players, hoping it wouldn’t be a post-Luis Suarez season all over again. Amidst all the business going on, there were a few transfers that didn’t materialize, a few rumours which gained legs but eventually lost heart. If the initial one-third of the season is anything to go by, these failed moves have turned out to be blessings in disguise and the fans will surely be counting their lucky stars for their player not moving, in some cases against their wishes.Here are five such players fans will be glad to see did not move to another club. 

#1 David De Gea - Manchester United

Manchester United’s Player of the Year David De Gea seemed set to depart to Real Madrid in August. To add insult to injury, there was every chance the Red Devils would have to sell him for a price much lower than his worth in view of his contract expiring in 2016.

Even so, United took a strong stand. CEO Ed Woodward demanded Sergio Ramos and then Gareth Bale in return. When none of the moves materialized, they let Florentino Perez know that they would rather let De Gea’s contract expire than sell him this summer.

The situation had by then assumed the proportions of a full-blown transfer saga, one which would not be resolved till deadline day. When a deal involving £29 million and Keylor Navas in exchange was finally agreed, this too did not transpire in a story of late paperwork and blame-games.

De Gea, meanwhile, has put the episode behind him and signed a new 4-year contract with Manchester United. More importantly, he has returned to his imperious best between the sticks, racking up clean sheets one after another with the assistance of the much-improved Chris Smalling and making the breath-taking reflex saves only he can.

With De Gea guarding their goal, the Stretford End can breathe a sigh of relief and concentrate on lamenting their team’s laboured attacks. And though it seemed like Real Madrid would be kicking themselves for missing out on a world-class player, they don’t seem to be complaining too much either.