10 Players You Didn't Know Sunderland Almost Signed

9. Mido

A volatile and disruptive footballer, it's no wonder that the man has burnt himself out to the point of retirement by the age of just 31 years old. For their own sanities and mental health, it's just as well that Mido and Roy Keane never made good on their wish to work together back in the summer of 2007. Throw together a boy who threw a pair of scissors at Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and a man who launched a cynical career-threatening stamp into Alfie Haaland's knee, and chaos reminiscent to a slow-motion car crash would surely have ensued. Seven years ago, it was the Black Cats who enticed the Egyptian bad boy as he sought a new club following his ignominious ousting from the Spurs camp. With Middlesbrough having already agreed a £6 million fee for the former Roma striker's services, Roy Keane and his entourage attempted to hijack the deal by sweet-talking the 24 year old into committing his future to the exciting Drumaville consortium-backed 'project'.

''It was a tough decision, especially after I met Roy Keane. I was very impressed by the way he played but if you go to meet him you see a totally different person. But I decided to come here. It doesn't mean I do not think Sunderland or Roy Keane will do well. I really think they will, but it was my decision to come here an now I can focus on doing well.'' - Mido, August 2007.