Top five Premier League U-turns

Christian Benteke sprung a surprise last night when he withdrew his transfer request and signed a new contract with Aston Villa.

It appeared that the Belgium international was heading for the Villa Park exit door, with Tottenham Hotspur believed to be interested in his services. However, following a series of talks with manager Paul Lambert, he has committed himself to the Villans until the summer of 2017.

With that in mind, Sports Mole has looked back over five other Premier League players and managers who had a change of heart.

John Obi Mikel

In what was one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history, Mikel agreed to sign for Manchester United in 2005 from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo. Shortly after he gave a press conference in which he spoke of his delight at signing for the Red Devils.

However, just days later he was quoted as saying that he had been pressured into joining United and that he actually wanted to play for Chelsea. FIFA intervened and the saga eventually ended with the Blues paying United £12m and Lyn £4m to sign the Nigerian midfielder.

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David Unsworth

The defender spent six years with Everton before joining West Ham United in 1997. He only lasted one season at Upton Park and was then transferred to Aston Villa during the next summer for £3m.

Unsworth would only spend a month at Villa Park, though, before he requested a move because his family had failed to settle in the Birmingham area. Everton agreed to pay the £3m that Villa had recently shelled out and the full-back was on his way back to Merseyside before the season had even started.

Wayne Rooney

The England international caused a stir back in 2010 when he handed in a transfer request at Manchester United, citing the club's lack of ambition as a major reason behind his decision.

It seemed that he was destined for Manchester City, but just a few days later a picture appeared of him on the club's official website sat alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and signing a new contract. Part two of the drama, this time with David Moyes, is currently underway.

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Dietmar Hamann

Back in 2006, the German midfielder opted to leave Liverpool in search of regular starting action. The Reds granted him permission to discuss terms with Bolton Wanderers and he had soon signed a pre-contract at the Reebok Stadium.

Twenty-four hours later, though, Hamann had a "change of heart". He no longer wanted to play for the Trotters and soon after he was unveiled as a Manchester City player. The Citizens had to pay Bolton £400,000 in compensation.

Sir Alex Ferguson

"The decision has been taken. I'm going to leave the club. I'm disappointed with what has happened because I was hoping something would be sorted out. It hasn't happened as I thought it would and that's all there is to it." Those were Ferguson's words in the summer of 2001, which meant United would require a new manger from 2002 onwards.

However, his reported fiery relationship with the board was patched up the next winter and he signed a new deal until 2005. As a result, Sven-Goran Eriksson's proposed move to Old Trafford was cancelled.

© AP Photos