Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 PM-12:00 AM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Soccer

Remy joins the list of players who have failed medicals

Over the weekend, Liverpool were expected to announce a double-swoop as they look to strengthen a...



Remy joins the list of players...
Soccer

Remy joins the list of players who have failed medicals

Over the weekend, Liverpool were expected to announce a double-swoop as they look to strengthen ahead of a first Champions League campaign in four years.

But only one player ended up putting pen to paper as Dejan Lovren became the third Southampton player to make the switch from St Mary's to Anfield so far this summer.

I discuss the Lovren deal on the Monday Rewind

Conversely, QPR's France international Loic Remy's transfer to Anfield was called off at the 11th hour.

The reason being a failed medical. Once a formality, medicals have become more stringent in recent years and although players failing them are still relatively rare, it does happen from time to time...

John Hartson

In 2000, the former Wales international was on the verge of sealing a move to Glasgow Rangers. However, the deal collapsed after he failed his medical. He had also failed a medical months earlier which also scuppered a move to Tottenham.

Ironically, Hartson would make the move to Rangers' bitter rivals Celtic in 2001, where the former Arsenal, Coventry City and West Ham striker would become a fan favourite, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions.

John Hartson in 2001 ©INPHO/Allsport 

 

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

He would later go on to score 150 goals for Manchester United in five seasons, but a year before his transfer to Old Trafford in  2001, the Dutchman failed a medical following a cruciate knee ligament injury.

At the time, PSV's then-President Harry Van Raay said: "He has recovered very well, better than even our doctor expected but, even when he is recovering well and the knee is stable, he does not seem able to do what the doctors of Manchester United feel is necessary to fulfil their medical tests."

 

Demba Ba

Little known to Premier League audiences while at Bundesliga club Hoffenheim, the Besiktas striker was all set for a move to Stoke when he failed a medical.

While the reasons were unclear, then-Stoke City manager Tony Pulis described the issue as "something which could cause problems later. The medical reports we had showed there was a massive risk."

That did not stop him eventually moving to the Premier League, as the Senegalese striker joined West Ham on a deal based on appearances.

Ba has since gone on to play for Newcastle and Chelsea, although Alan Pardew did hint that the 29-year-old has issues with his knee, with the Toon boss describing it as a "deficiency".

 

Leroy Fer

A member of Holland's 2014 World Cup squad, the former Feyenoord midfielder was also close to becoming an Evertonian in January 2013.

However, the deal was off the cards when the 24-year-old when his medical revealed that he was carrying a long-time knee injury.

Six months later he would become a Premier League player when he signed for Norwich and has remained a part of the Dutch national team. 

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Soccer