When Scotland went window shopping: 10 superstar transfers that almost happened

THE Transfer Window slammed shut a week ago.

All over the Continent, multi-million-pound deals were struck to take household names from one club to another and one country to another.

A mind-boggling £870 million-PLUS changed hands in transfers involving English clubs. In Scotland, however, the total wasn’t so much a drop in the ocean as a splash in a puddle.

But at one time, our clubs showed a whole lot more ambition when it came to acquiring players.

Many inquiries bore fruit, such as George Best signing for Hibs and Gazza joining Rangers.

Others simply wilted on the vine. Here are a few of the best examples.LIONEL MESSI TO RANGERS

Messi in action for Barcelona (David Ramos / Getty Images)

IN 2003-04, the Light Blues and Barcelona talked about the 16-year-old going to Ibrox on loan.

Barca decided he was too young and too slight for Scottish football, so a massive coup for Alex McLeish never happened.

Messi did eventually play at Ibrox but for Barca on European business.JOHAN CRUYFF TO DUMBARTON

Cruyff stars for Holland in the 1974 World Cup (PA Archive)

“HAVE spoken to the boy Cruyff. He says he will get back to us.”

Sean Fallon’s famous quote, confirming the Sons approach for the three-times European Cup winner in 1983.

Cruyff never did.

Seeing the ‘Cruyff Turn’ at Boghead would have been a bit like Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma down the local!RONALDHINO TO ST MIRREN

Brazil superstar Ronaldinho (Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images)

THE Brazilian briefly looked set to be heading to St Mirren on loan in 2001, only for the transfer to collapse due to red tape.

Soon after he did move to Europe, leaving Gremio in his homeland to join Paris St Germain.ZBIGNIEW BONIEK TO ABERDEEN

Boniek in action for Roma, 1986 (AllSports UK)

SO close.

In 1984 Sir Alex Ferguson tried to take advantage of the “two foreigners” rule to prise the former Poland skipper away from Juventus.

Fergie said at the time: “Boniek was a free agent and his wife, who is studying English, was also keen to come.”

The deal was all set but Juve had a late change of heart.MARIO JARDEL TO RANGERS

Porto’s Mario Jardel in 1997 (Mark Thompson / Getty Images)

THE Brazilian striker was close to Ibrox on several occasions, in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003.

But every time the deal fell through.

Who was it who said you only get asked once to sign for Rangers?10 great footballers who stayed at one club – click here to read more DENIS LAW TO HAMILTON ACCIES

Man Utd legend Denis Law (Don Morley / Getty Images)

THE Douglas Park outfit boldly noted their interest when the Scotland legend was transfer listed by Manchester United in 1970.

But ultimately Accies were not prepared to meet the £60,000 asking fee.

The Lawman would probably cost the same today but he is 75 after all!FREDDY KANOUTE TO RANGERS

Kanoute starred for the Hammers (Stu Forster / Getty Images)

THE Light Blues failed with an £11 million bid for the French-born Malian rejected by West Ham in autumn 2000.

More fool the Hammers. Three years later, Kanoute was sold to Spurs for just £3.5m.DIEGO MARADONA TO CLYDE

The son of one of the greatest ever players (Grazia Neri / Getty Images)

NOT the Hand of God, but his son, Diego Junior, who was offered to the First Division club on loan in 2003.

He was later capped by Italy in Beach Soccer, suggesting he would have been well suited to Scotland’s heavily-sanded pitches.BOLO ZENDEN TO CELTIC

Dutch midfielder Zenden starring for Chelsea (Craig Prentis / Getty Images)

THE Dutch star unsuccessfully trained with the Hoops for several days in November, 2011 in a bid to earn himself a deal.

He had made an impression in a bounce game against St Johnstone, and was invited back by the club the following week.

When he did return, he was told the deal was off.BEBETO TO ST MIRREN

The samba star in 1992 (David Cannon / Getty Images)

THE Saints turned down the chance to sign the former Brazilian World Cup striker in 2001 when he was 37.

Concerned about his age, they had invited him to Love Street for a trial.

The man who had scored three goals en route to winning the World Cup in the United States in 1994 politely declined!Read our sports section here.