Chelsea LOVE gazumping Manchester United.

As two of the giants of the Premier League era, there have been plenty of famous clashes between the two clubs over the years, with each having their share of success against the other.

However, a look back at both club's recent transfer histories shows that, when they have gone head-to head over transfer targets, Chelsea have a habit of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

And that could about to happen again with Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata. The Spain striker had seemed all set for a move to Old Trafford… but Antonio Conte now seems set to try and hijack that deal with a massive £70million bid.

So why is it that Chelsea are always beating the Red Devils to players?
"I'm having him, and there's nothing you can do about it!" (
Image:
Julian Finney)
Is Morata set to reject United and move to Chelsea instead? (
Image:
Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Perhaps hearing United are interested in someone often makes someone at Stamford Bridge realise they should be too. Perhaps the champions-elect are simply keen to stop a traditional Premier League powerhouse from strengthening their squad… and do so by making sure they sign their targets instead.

Whatever the reason, there is a long list of Premier League stars who have done exactly that…

Eden Hazard
(
Image:
Darren Walsh)

Before joining Chelsea from Lille in 2012, Hazard had a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson - who was desperate to bring the Belgian to Old Trafford.

Then Roman Abramovich got involved.
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty)

“I spoke with Abramovich, he is very simple and loves football,” Hazard said at the time. "There was a struggle between Chelsea and United, but according to me Chelsea has the best project. I was in advanced contact with both clubs and I spoke to both coaches."

OUCH.

Arjen Robben
(
Image:
Getty)

The Dutch winger had all but agreed to move from PSV to United back in 2004. Robben and his father had been shown around Old Trafford and the Carrington. They had been given assurances about the number of games he would play. And then…

"My meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson went very well," says Robben, "and I was ready to sign. But I was convinced by Ranieri and Kenyon – they told me the whole Chelsea story and it appealed to me. I wasn't disappointed to miss out on United as in football things happen very fast."

Pedro
(
Image:
Darren Walsh)

'The Pedro Affair' was the point at which many Man United fans gave up on Edward Woodward. In August 2015, the club's vice-chairman flew out to Barcelona to complete a deal for Spain winger Pedro. With just the i's to dot and the t's to cross, United supporters excitedly awaited the signing of the World Cup winner.

He never arrived. Once again, Chelsea swooped in, pouncing on United and Woodward dilly-dallying on the details.
Ed Woodward: master negotiator (
Image:
PA)

Pedro's agent claimed United "fell asleep" during negotiations, and Pedro himself confirmed as much at his farewell press conference.
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty)

"I had offers from other English clubs - Manchester United, City and Chelsea, who were the club that more rapidly resolved my transfer and the one that showed more interest in me."

Didier Drogba
(
Image:
John Peters)

For United fans, Drogba is perhaps the most surprising - and most heartbreaking - of all the names on this list, purely because of the difference he would have made to their side in the mid 2000s.

According to Sir Alex Ferguson, United were weighing up a move for the big Ivorian just before he joined Chelsea, back in 2004. "We went to check him out [at Marseille]," Fergie wrote in one of his books, "but the club wanted £25million and Chelsea moved in for the kill before we had made up our minds."
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Just imagine what a strikeforce of Drogba and a young Wayne Rooney might have done for The Red Devils…

John Obi Mikel
(
Image:
Mike Hewitt)

The most infamous case of Chelsea nabbing a player United thought they had in the bag, Mikel had not only agreed to join The Red Devils before moving to west London - he had actually signed a contract with them.
A copy of the contract between Manchester United and John Obi Mikel (
Image:
Manchester United via Getty)

Back in a time when the Nigerian was one of Europe's hottest properties (2005, to be precise), United had agreed a £4m deal with Norwegian club Lyn to sign the 19 year-old midfielder.

They even held a hastily arranged press conference:
John Obi Mikel smiles after 'signing' for Manchester United (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

Some time later - after a very messy, drawn out process than involved a High Court claim - Chelsea paid £12m to their domestic rivals, plus the original £4m to Lyn.

Still, with this guy in charge, that was just chump change…
Roman Abramovich: thug life (
Image:
Jed Leicester/PA Wire)