Biggest rejected transfer bids football list reveals Mbappé, Messi, Salah and others as clubs refuse record-breaking offers in history

The biggest rejected transfer bids football history has ever recorded highlight how modern clubs continue to resist record-breaking financial offers, even as the global transfer market pushes beyond £100 million valuations.

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From Kylian Mbappé to Lionel Messi, several of world football’s biggest stars have been at the centre of staggering offers that were ultimately turned down, despite unprecedented financial pressure from rival clubs and wealthy buyers.

At the top of the list is Al Hilal’s reported £259 million bid for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé in 2023, a deal that would have shattered global transfer records but was ultimately rejected after the player declined the move.

Another landmark moment came in 2006, when Inter Milan were said to have explored triggering a €250 million release clause for Lionel Messi while he was still at Barcelona, an offer that was firmly turned down as the Argentine remained at the Catalan club.

Mbappé again features prominently, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly rejecting a £171.7 million offer from Real Madrid in 2021 despite sustained interest from the Spanish giants.

Liverpool also feature heavily in the biggest rejected transfer bids football history, having turned down a £150 million offer from Al-Ittihad for Mohamed Salah in 2023, choosing to retain their key attacker despite intense Saudi interest.

Barcelona, meanwhile, rejected a £119 million bid from Paris Saint-Germain for Philippe Coutinho in 2017 before later selling him at an even higher valuation months later.

Manchester City’s early ambition was also tested in 2009 when a reported £100 million offer for Kaká was turned down by AC Milan, with the Brazilian later joining Real Madrid instead.

Tottenham Hotspur resisted a £100 million bid from Manchester City for Harry Kane in 2021, with chairman Daniel Levy blocking the move before City eventually shifted focus to Erling Haaland.

Newcastle United initially rejected a £110 million offer from Liverpool for Alexander Isak before later agreeing to a record-breaking £125 million transfer deal in a separate negotiation.

Barcelona’s attempt to bring Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 also collapsed despite a package reportedly worth over £120 million plus players included in the deal.

More recently, Real Madrid reportedly saw a £129 million bid for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez rejected in 2026, with Atlético standing firm and referring the Spanish giants to his release clause.

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The list underscores how elite clubs increasingly prioritise sporting value over financial gain, even as transfer fees continue to inflate across global football.