10 Biggest Premier League Transfers That Nearly Happened

Manchester United tried to sign the Premier League's all time record goalscorer on two separate occasions. Their first approach came in 1992, prior to the beginning of the inaugural Premier League season. According to Shearer himself, it was United's lackadaisical demeanor that prevented the deal from going through, which allowed Blackburn to swoop in and poach the Geordie hitman. In an alternate universe, had Shearer's transfer to Manchester been successful, it is likely that United would have never signed cult French hero Eric Cantona from Leeds, who they went on to purchase in the same summer.

Shearer would claim one Premier League title at Blackburn, ending Manchester United's two year dominance by winning the championship in the 1994-95 season. Shearer was the league's top scorer that season with a joint Premier League record of 34 goals. The goals, and Shearer's partnership with fellow striker Chris Sutton, were instrumental in taking the title from Manchester to Blackburn.

Manchester United would attempt to sign Shearer again in 1996, but were gazumped by the striker's boyhood club, Newcastle United, who agreed to pay Blackburn a world record £15 million upfront for his services.