Pulse Sports examines the five most stunning transfers in Premier League history, which turned heroes into villains. Since the 1992-93 season, the Premier League has captured the hearts of fans around the world, thanks to its exciting matches and the unpredictable excitement of its transfer market. While big-money deals often grab headlines, a truly shocking transfer goes beyond just the financials. These moves are memorable because they stir up strong emotions, surprise everyone or lead to unexpected changes, leaving a lasting impression on clubs, players and especially the fans. While Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal after clashing with Sporting, that move involved non-Premier League clubs, the same cannot be said about Alexander Isak, whose rather late insistence on pushing for a Liverpool move is expected to anger Newcastle United supporters, who have cheered his name since the Swede joined from Real Sociedad in 2022. In this article, Pulse Sports examines five of the most controversial and/or surprising Premier League transfers from the 1992-93 season through to 2024-25. Most Shocking Premier League Transfers 5. Robin van Persie (Arsenal to Manchester United, 2012) Robin van Persie was Arsenal's captain, top scorer and undisputed talisman, having delivered a prolific season where he was the Premier League's leading marksman. Despite his individual brilliance, Arsenal's prolonged inability to consistently challenge for major trophies fuelled speculation about his future at the club. In 2012, Van Persie made the highly controversial decision to leave Arsenal and join their fierce rivals, Manchester United, for approximately £24 million, leaving North London for a club that had historically battled the Gunners for league titles and was unequivocally seen as a primary competitor for the upcoming season's honours. Arsenal fans were left heartbroken and enraged by their captain's departure to a direct rival, especially given his exceptional form in the preceding season. Conversely, Manchester United fans were pleased, recognising the significant boost his arrival would provide. Van Persie immediately helped them to win the league, proving pivotal in Manchester United securing their 20th league title in his very first season. 4. Carlos Tevez (Manchester United to Manchester City, 2009) Carlos Tevez had spent two highly successful years on loan at Manchester United, during which he won multiple trophies, including the Premier League and the Champions League. He had become a popular figure among United fans, who widely expected his stay to become permanent. However, in the summer of 2009, after his loan spell expired, Tevez made the highly controversial decision to leave Manchester United and join their arch-rivals, Manchester City. The move itself was complex, involving his third-party owners, Media Sport Investment. The shock was profoundly amplified by City's audacious "Welcome to Manchester" billboard, prominently featuring Tevez's image, erected in Manchester city centre, widely interpreted as a direct and provocative taunt to United. The billboard stunt famously prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to label City "a small club with a small mentality". Tevez himself contributed to the narrative, claiming Ferguson's treatment made me join their arch-rivals, while Ferguson, in turn, blamed Tevez's agent. Tevez’s transfer marked a pivotal turning point in the Manchester derby, unequivocally signalling City's new ambition and their willingness to challenge United's long-held dominance. The retired forward won three titles with City, including the Premier League in 2011-12 and the FA Cup in 2011. 3. Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea, 2011) Fernando Torres was a revered figure at Liverpool, having enjoyed three and a half seasons of electrifying performances after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2007. Forming a formidable partnership with Steven Gerrard, he was widely regarded as one of the world's premier strikers. On January 31, 2011, a dramatic transfer deadline day, Torres shocked the red half of Merseyside when he moved to rivals Chelsea for a then-British record fee of £50 million. Adding another layer of shock and cynicism, Jamie Carragher later revealed that Liverpool's management knew Torres was not the same player, physically or mentally, due to injuries, but strategically included a £50 million release clause in his contract. The transfer instantly transformed the once fervent adoration for the Spanish goal machine in Liverpool into indifference. Despite the immense expectations, Torres's performances at Stamford Bridge failed to match the highs of his Liverpool days, leading to widespread debates about whether the move was truly worth the record fee. While he did achieve team success, winning the FA Cup and the Champions League with Chelsea, his individual form rarely justified the Blues’ financial outlay. 2. Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea, 2006) Ashley Cole was an Arsenal academy graduate and "Invincible", considered one of England's best and expected to stay at the Gunners for most of his career. However, in 2006, Cole controversially joined rivals Chelsea in a swap deal for William Gallas plus £5 million. The move followed a notorious 2005 "tapping-up" meeting, resulting in fines for Cole, Chelsea and Jose Mourinho. Cole cited Arsenal's disrespect over a reneged salary promise, which Chelsea reportedly doubled. Arsenal fans felt profound betrayal, and supporters famously waved fake £20 notes with Cole's image, branding him "Cashley". That 2006 move remains a highly controversial transfer; Cole achieved significant success at Chelsea, winning the Premier League, Champions League and four FA Cups, contrasting sharply with Arsenal's trophy haul during that period. 1. Sol Campbell (Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, 2001) Sol Campbell was an iconic figure at Tottenham Hotspur, having spent over a decade at the club and serving as its captain. He was a beloved defender, considered a cornerstone of their team, and fans widely expected him to remain at White Hart Lane. Adding to this expectation, he had even reportedly verbally agreed to stay with Spurs. In 2001, though, Campbell made the unprecedented and undoubtedly one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history by moving to Spurs’ arch-rivals, Arsenal, on a free transfer. The fact that it was a free transfer, meaning the Lilywhites received no financial compensation for losing their captain and a club legend, profoundly exacerbated the sense of betrayal. The decision sent shockwaves through the footballing world. Spurs fans felt betrayed, and the hatred reached a boiling point when he returned to White Hart Lane with Arsenal, where he faced a torrent of abuse and hostility. He was infamously branded "Judas" among Spurs supporters, a moniker that persists to this day. Campbell went on to achieve significant success with Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles, which only further stoked the flames of animosity from Spurs fans. The Englishman’s transfer remains one of the most talked-about moves in Premier League history, epitomising the ultimate act of betrayal between bitter rivals.