When Footballers Go AWOL to Force a Transfer
Every summer the transfer window delivers the same soap opera. A club insists their best player isn’t for sale, but suddenly the star man is “injured,” “not in the right frame of mind,” or just doesn’t show up at training. Cue headlines, angry fans, and a player forcing a transfer.
Some call it unprofessional, others say it’s just modern football. Whatever your view, “going AWOL” has become one of the most powerful bargaining chips a footballer can use. Let’s take a look at some recent cases and a few classics.
Alexander Isak – Newcastle United
Right now, Alexander Isak’s situation at Newcastle is a hot topic. The Swedish striker has reportedly trained away from the first team while Liverpool circle. The Reds have already seen two bids knocked back, but they’re not giving up. Newcastle’s recent signing of Nick Woltemade has only added fuel to the fire, with many fans wondering if the Toon are quietly lining up Isak’s replacement. The Swede even issued a social media statement hinting at “broken promises”, a move that always ramps up the pressure. Eddie Howe insists nothing dodgy is going on, but with Isak’s body language and words telling their own story, it feels like this one could get wrapped up before tomorrow night’s transfer deadline.
Yoane Wissa – Brentford
Over at Brentford, Yoane Wissa has gone public with claims the club promised to let him leave for a fair offer. Newcastle have already had bids turned down, but Wissa is using social media to push his case. As with Isak, once a player makes their frustration public, you can almost see the exit door opening.
Ousmane Dembélé – Borussia Dortmund
Back in 2017, Ousmane Dembélé set the template for the modern transfer strike. When Barcelona came calling, the winger simply stopped turning up for Dortmund training. The German club fined and suspended him, but Barca paid the huge fee and the move went through.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Dortmund to Arsenal
Dembélé wasn’t the only one. A few months later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did much the same thing. He was repeatedly dropped for disciplinary reasons, his head already in north London. By January 2018, Arsenal had their new striker and Dortmund were left exasperated.
Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City
Leicester fans still remember Mahrez’s disappearing act in 2018. After Manchester City’s late bid collapsed, Mahrez went missing from training for several days. The official line was that he wasn’t in the right mental state, but everyone knew he was sulking. He eventually got his move that summer.
Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea
Goalkeepers get itchy feet too. Thibaut Courtois refused to report for Chelsea training in August 2018, making it crystal clear he wanted to join Real Madrid. Within days, Chelsea gave in and signed Kepa as his replacement.
Peter Odemwingie – West Bromwich Albion
No list of AWOL transfer sagas would be complete without Peter Odemwingie. On deadline day in January 2013, the Nigerian striker famously drove himself down to QPR’s training ground in the hope of forcing a move. Cameras caught him arriving at Loftus Road, smiling for the press, only for the deal to collapse. He was sent back to West Brom, red-faced and unwanted, in one of the most bizarre transfer strikes the Premier League has ever seen.
Diego Costa – Chelsea to Atlético Madrid
One of the most notorious cases came in 2017. Diego Costa, told by Antonio Conte he was no longer wanted, simply stayed in Brazil. He refused to return to Chelsea, lounging on the beach until a deal with Atlético Madrid was finally agreed.
Why Players Go AWOL
The pattern is always the same: a big club comes knocking, the selling club digs in, and the player makes life uncomfortable to force a move. Training strikes, missed tours, cryptic social media posts – it’s all part of the modern football script.
For clubs, it’s a nightmare. You can fine a player, banish them to train alone, or issue stern statements, but an unhappy footballer is toxic in the dressing room. In most cases, the sale eventually happens.
For fans, it’s bittersweet. Nobody likes to see their heroes sulking their way out, but football careers are short and the temptation of bigger wages and trophies usually wins. From Isak and Wissa today to Costa, Odemwingie, Mahrez, Courtois and the rest, the drama might change faces, but the story stays the same.
Top 8 Famous AWOL Transfers in Football
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – Liverpool bids rejected, Toon signed Woltemade as possible replacement.
- Yoane Wissa (Brentford) – pushing via social media after club rejected Newcastle’s bid.
- Ousmane Dembélé (Dortmund) – went missing to force £100m+ move to Barcelona.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Dortmund) – dropped repeatedly before switch to Arsenal.
- Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) – refused to train after City bid collapsed.
- Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) – no-show at training to seal Real Madrid move.
- Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) – drove to QPR on deadline day, deal collapsed.
- Diego Costa (Chelsea) – stayed in Brazil until Atlético re-signed him.
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Image sourced from Wikimedia.
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