Wesley Sneijder, Luka Modric & the biggest transfer window moves that didn't happen in the last 12 months... then what came next

While Chelsea’s acquisition of Gary Cahill and Newcastle United’s signing of striker Papiss Cisse are the only stand-out transfers of a month which has so far been void of the big-money switches which have been regularly touted, it should come as no surprise.

Many mooted moves will simply not materialise as club’s play brinkmanship over fees, struggle to settle wages, and fail to find adequate replacements for proposed departures.

Throughout 2011, a number of sagas dominated the headlines, from Wesley Sneijder’s ‘imminent’ arrival at Manchester United, to Luka Modric’s brief mutiny at Tottenham, and back again with Carlos Tevez’s protracted Manchester City exit as he sits in exile trying to force a move away from Eastlands.

Goal.com takes a look at the transfers that didn’t happen throughout the last 12 months, and what came next for the players who saw their dream moves scuppered.

What happened: The Scotsman had his head well and truly turned in January of last year, with the Blackpool captain quickly discarding any loyalty he may have had towards Ian Holloway’s side amid rumoured interest from many of the top six. The Seasiders stood firm however, with Adam refused a move to Tottenham in the final hours of deadline day.

What came next: The 26-year-old’s stay at Bloomfield Road could not prevent Blackpool from relegation, yet luckily for the midfielder there was still time to evacuate a sinking ship, as he secured a switch to Liverpool in July. Kenny Dalglish’s transfer overhaul may be faltering, but Adam has so far proved a reasonable investment, particularly in comparison to expensive flops Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.

What happened: Murmurings of Chelsea’s interest in the then Bolton defender initially surfaced a year ago, yet as the summer approached, Arsenal and Tottenham seemed to steal a yard on the west Londoners as they looked to the England international to complete their respective renovations.

With just a year left on his contract, the clubs thought a move would be inevitable but the Trotters held firm over their asking price and refused to sell when what they felt was the right fee wasn't offered.

What came next: Cahill may have regretted his failure to secure a Reebok Stadium exit in the summer, with his stock falling due to Wanderers woeful Premier League form. Fear not, as the ex-Aston Villa man was not to be denied his fairytale ending.

On January 16, the centre-back secured his ‘dream’ move to the Blues, although not before playing hard to get with Andre Villas-Boas, as he stalled the switch in search of a bumper pay deal.

What came next: From publicly declaring his distaste for Manchester to refusing to come off the substitutes’ bench in September’s defeat to Bayern Munich, Tevez’s stay at Eastlands has turned increasingly sour as the ex-West Ham man indulges in a constant state of AWOL in his native homeland.

No doubt there were groans up and down the country when the 27-year-old’s proposed move to Serie A giants Inter and AC Milan fell through, and in turn delayed our chance to finally wish good riddance to the forward. Tevez is likely to seek asylum at Paris Saint-Germain, although there are still many twists and turns no doubt left in this tale.

What came next: As the season entered September, Chelsea’s spell over the midfielder magically disappeared as he began to win back the support of the Spurs faithful with a series of impressive displays. His role in the league's best midfield has taken Tottenham to third in the table, leaving the Blues in their wake.

Decision justified for Levy, but the club must now ready another defence of their prized asset with Manchester United lurking in the wings.

What came next: For Spurs a shock title charge, for Rossi, disaster. Not only do the Yellow Submarine lie near the bottom in the Primera division standings, but the attacker suffered a serious knee injury in October against Real Madrid and has been sidelined since – putting his Euro 2012 hopes with Italy in jeopardy.

What came next: Sneijder continues to be seen as United’s missing piece, with the Red Devils’ grit and drive seeing them challenge rivals City in the title race rather than their midfield craft and quality.

The 27-year-old has also seen injury limit his Serie A appearances to just eight games in the current campaign, and whilst Inter have now climbed to fourth following a disastrous start to the season, the scene may still be set for the ex-Real Madrid man to try his hand in the Premier League.

What came next: The Potters brushed themselves off, ensured they signed at least one dud in Cameron Jerome, before lining up the deadline day signing of Peter Crouch – cue a completely out of proportion fanfare over the Spurs man’s arrival. Things haven’t turned out so bad for Cole either since he opted for the comfort of east London, with the ex-Chelsea man currently the Hammers’ top scorer as they sit three points clear of Southampton in the bid for top spot.

What happened:

What came next: Redknapp secured a last-ditch loan deal for Emmanuel Adebayor, while Forlan has suffered even more than team-mate Sneijder from the Nerazzurri’s turbulent season so far, having only scored one goal in a campaign scuppered by recurrent injury.

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What happened:

What came next: A move to new money PSG looked likely as Beckham eyed one last hurrah in Europe, yet it seems the 36-year-old’s heart and head wanted to remain on US shores, as the former Manchester United man rejected the Ligue 1 outfit’s overtures in favour of family and a new two-year deal at the Home Depot Center.

What happened:

What came next: Onuoha has made just one appearance for Roberto Mancini’s side this season, but now looks set to join up with former boss Mark Hughes at QPR, who have agreed an estimated £3m fee for the former England Under-21 international, with a quite ridiculous £80,000-per-week contract likely to stifle the Toffees' hopes of a last-minute intervention in the deal.

It is increasingly difficult to wade through the glut of transfer stories thrown up by the transfer period, as agents and players use the rumour mill to strengthen their own position, while managers aim to keep their cards as close to their chest as possible – leaving the fan to sort fact from fiction.

Yet rest assured, with rumours linking Darren Bent with a switch to Liverpool, reports suggesting Chelsea are just getting started in the transfer market, and increasingly louder calls being directed at Arsene Wenger to bolster his Arsenal squad, we are no doubt set for another intriguing end to the January window.