10 Players You Didn't Know Barcelona Almost Signed

9. Vincent Kompany

Vincent Kompany moved to Manchester City in 2009 and has since made a reputation for himself as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves. The defender has helped City win two league titles and an FA Cup, and was named in last season's Premier League PFA Team of the Year after helping his side keep the second-best defensive record in England's topflight. And he nearly ended up in Spain instead. After leaving German side Hamburger SV in 2008, Kompany revealed he came close to joining Barcelona "a few times". He said: "I have been close to signing for Barca a few times, there were contacts, but recently, officially, I can assure you that there has been nothing that I know of." In the end however, despite Barcelona's best efforts, Kompany moved to City in a deal worth £6 million, a fee that represents a complete bargain considering the Belgian international has since grown into one of the best centre-backs in world football.