10 Liverpool Players Who Nearly Signed for Man United

2. Fernando Torres

Vilified and castigated for a perceived 'money-grabbing' transfer to Chelsea in January 2011, there was a time when Fernando Torres was revered as something of an idol at Anfield. Armed with blistering pace, jaw-dropping skill and the ice-cool composure that has deserted him at Stamford Bridge, the Spaniard was a revelation during his three and a half year spell on Merseyside. However, the fresh-faced 23 year old who linked up with Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2007 was no unknown quantity. With almost 100 goals for his boyhood club, Athletico Madrid, and over 15 international caps to his name, it was no surprise that Sir Alex Ferguson had cast a beady eye or two over him. Admitting in his autobiography that he had 'tried to sign him when he was 16', Ferguson furthered that Torres used the club's interest to secure a better deal at Athletico. That didn't stop the Red Devils from pursuing the up-and-coming clinician, as they would register an official bid of £24 million plus Diego Forlan in March of 2004, in the hope of prizing away the Madrigal prodigy. The club instantaneously knocked back the offer, determined to hold onto their in-demand forward.