The transfer window is often dramatic, confusing and complicated – and few players understand that better than Loic Remy.
The Frenchman had a rollercoaster of a summer in 2014, when moves to Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea were on the cards. Remy was on the books of QPR at the time, but had just returned from a successful season's loan at Newcastle, where he had scored no fewer than fourteen Premier League goals.
Liverpool were the first to show interest in him and rushed the striker to their pre-season camp in the US after agreeing a deal for Rs. However, complications with his medical treatment disrupted the move, causing a whirlwind ending to the window.
“I remember being on holiday, back in my home country, on a small island, and my agent called me to tell me that Liverpool wanted to sign me,” said Remy, who turned 38 on Thursday (January 2). speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' 'Gaffer of all Accas' last month. “They were training in Boston for pre-season. That was fantastic news for me, so I asked him about the next steps.
“We have arrived, me and my agent, [in Boston] and it all felt like a dream – it happened so quickly. I met all the guys, started doing my interviews and got a medical, but something was wrong.
“I didn't know what was going on but they told me to just wait a few days. At this point I was a Liverpool player as far as I was concerned because I had done the interviews and I still have a photo of myself on my phone, holding their scarf!
“It was a very proud moment for me, but two days later I found out there was a problem with my medical treatment, and the deal fell through. They didn't want to take the risk, and even though I was so disappointed, I accepted and went back to London ready to start training with QPR again.”
But before the dust settled, Chelsea contacted Remy's agent to ask if he was available. The Blues had just signed Diego Costa, but the prospect of working under Jose Mourinho – even as a second-choice striker – was too exciting to resist. So he traveled to Chelsea's training ground in Cobham for medical treatment, after which the saga took another theatrical turn.
“Just before we signed, my agent got a call from Arsenal asking if I had signed or not. [My agent told them] “No, no, he's on his way to sign.” [Arsenal replied] “Tell him not to sign, we want him!”
“My agent told me this, and the market was so close to closing, so he gave me the choice between Chelsea and Arsenal. In the end I went for Chelsea because I felt that Arsenal should have manifested themselves long before the end of the transfer period.
“I was already at Cobham, ready to sign for Chelsea and had passed my medical, so I decided I wasn't going to change my mind.”
Remy's decision ultimately paid off. Despite playing second fiddle to Costa, he went on to make 27 appearances in all competitions during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea winning both the Premier League and the League Cup. He also scored seven goals in just six league starts, and nine goals in ten in all competitions.
His second season was less fruitful, thanks in part to Chelsea's monumental collapse. The club finished the campaign in 10th place – their worst domestic finish since 1996 – parting ways with Mourinho halfway through.
In 2016/17, following the arrival of new Blues manager Antonio Conte, Remy was loaned out to Crystal Palace, meaning he missed out on Chelsea's title win that season. He also missed much of the campaign after suffering a serious knee injury.
Prior to the 2017/18 season, Remy left, this time permanently, for Las Palmas. Over the course of Chelsea's career, the Lyon-born forward scored twelve goals in 47 appearances, including 16 starts.
“[Was moving to Chelsea] a mistake, isn't it? I don't think so,” Remy added. “In the end I won titles with Chelsea, but yes, it was a very complicated move behind the scenes!”
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