Footballers will often resort to extreme lengths to force a move from their club.
We have seen that plenty of times already this summer with Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa.
Isak released a bombshell statement on Tuesday night where he hit out at Newcastle, saying promises had been broken and reiterated his desire to be sold.
The Magpies themselves hit back and refuted that claim that he had been told he can leave and continue to say he is not for sale.
Liverpool have already seen a £110m bid rejected.
Wissa is also trying to force a move from Brentford to join Newcastle and has downed tools.
He has deleted all mention of the Bees on his Instagram account as things get messy.
That is not quite as dramatic as what William Gallas allegedly did at Chelsea to try and leave the club.
Gallas made a deadline day move to Arsenal, leaving some fans confused as to why he was sold.
The Blues sensationally released a statement days after that transfer in 2006 where they claimed Gallas threatened to score an own goal if he was picked.
“Chelsea believes it is important for our supporters to be made aware of the full facts regarding William Gallas and the lack of respect he showed to the fans, the manager and the club,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“Despite leaving he continues to attack Jose Mourinho and this cannot be left unchallenged.
“Chelsea made William Gallas a very substantial and attractive new contract offer to stay towards the end of last season. This was rejected.
“The issue was purely one of money, despite his public comments that he wanted a new challenge, to play abroad and so forth. These were just a smokescreen to cover up the fact he was hawking himself to the highest bidder.
“Having failed to secure his demands, his position became increasingly intransigent and unacceptable.
“He initially refused to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final last season in an effort to force an increased contract offer.
“As is now well-documented he refused to join up with the team in Los Angeles during pre-season, despite agreeing the dates for his return as the other World Cup players did, with the club.
“When Jose Mourinho generously offered him a way back into the ‘family’ after the American tour, this was thrown back in the Chelsea manager’s face.
“The manager told him that, even if he did not agree a new contract but returned to the ‘family’ and abided by the rules, he would still select the best players available and would not punish him playing-wise.
“However despite meetings to try to resolve the problems Gallas made it clear to Jose Mourinho he would never play for Chelsea again.
“Before the first game of the season against Manchester City, when only four defenders were available and John Terry was doubtful with an injury, he refused to play.
“He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes.
“Clearly this was a totally unacceptable situation for the manager, the team and the club. So a collectively-agreed solution in Chelsea’s interests had to be found, hence his departure.”
Gallas’ strong response
However, Gallas refuted those claims in his own statement as the war of words between the two parties continued to be played out in public.
“I am surprised and shocked [by what Chelsea have said],” Gallas said.
“I certainly never said I’d try and score an own-goal if I ever played for Chelsea again. I was very firm in my desire to leave – that’s clear – and I’ve already explained why. But I never went that far.
“If people want to hide behind these ridiculous accusations to explain why I left to keep onside with their club’s supporters, that’s what they do. I don’t think it’ll fool anybody.”
More than a decade later, he continued to refute that claim that he ever threatened to score an own goal.
In an interview with FourFourTwo, he said: “I never said I would score an own goal. How can you say that?! I think it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
“Maybe at this time the people at the club tried to find a way to blame me for what was happening, because all of the supporters wanted me to stay.
“If I play football, I play with my heart. I have always played at 100 per cent.”
He also cited there being a misunderstanding between him and Jose Mourinho and also the fact they took his number 13 shirt off him to give to Michael Ballack.
Gallas won two Premier League trophies at Chelsea before making the switch to London rivals Arsenal.
He spent four seasons with the Gunners, making 142 appearances, before making the rare move across the north London divide to Tottenham.
The defender made 78 appearances across three campaigns for Spurs before ending his career with Perth Glory in the A-League.