300 goals in 516 career appearances, the all-time top Argentine goalscorer, and officially crowned the third best player in the world 15 years ago, Gabriel Batistuta was more than just another top player - he was a legend. Which is why it seems strange that just three years after receiving the bronze award in the FIFA World Player of the Year ceremony, it was Fulham who looked likely to sign the big-name striker. With Batistuta wanting out of Roma and seeking a move to England at the end of the 02/03 season, his agent told an Italian newspaper that Fulham had jumped to the head of the queue in the race for his signature. Just six months later, however, the Cottagers would not receive the news that they had craved since before Christmas. Much to the shock of the general public, the lowly Premier League club claimed that they had in fact spurned the opportunity to sign the legendary striker in the January transfer window.
''In the early part of the year, one of our directors was approached through a third party representing Batistuta. We were asked if we would be interested in signing him. Jean Tigana was asked and we immediately responded with a 'thanks, but no thanks'. Jean didn't give his reason, but his policy is to maximise profits on young players rather than buy older ones who might be very expensive and not have any resale value after their contract.'' - Chester Stern, Fulham spokesman, June 2002.
So that's a wrap - what do you think? Have there been any omissions from this list, such as the likes of Marlon King, Ravel Morrison and Neil Taylor? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
