10 Players You Probably Didn't Know Man City Almost Signed
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan doesnt do auditions - the enigmatic Swedes reply to an Arsenal trial in 1999 was laced with indignant gumption. Never one to doubt himself, the Swedish icon has since gone on to declare that he would have destroyed Premier League defences under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger. However, while the stars may not have aligned for Ibrahimovic to sign for the Gunners, that is not to say that he wasnt afforded other opportunities to test the waters of English football. The man may not have a Champions League medal in his bedside drawer, but what he has achieved in his career is nothing short of incredible. A key figure at every club he has played for and all of them gargantuan names in European terms he ended up in a league-winning side for 11 of the last 13 seasons. Despite his perceived arrogance and disruptive attitude, the man is a born winner, which is exactly why Manchester City were prepared to pay big for his services in 2011.''When I was forced to leave Barcelona by Pep Guardiola in 2011, sure I knew all about the incredible things that had happened at Manchester City and all the money that seemed to be there since the crew from the UAE had taken over. City could surely become big within a few years. But Id soon turn 29. I didnt have time for long-term plans and money was never a big thing. I wanted to go to a club that could be good now and there was no club with a history like AC Milan. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 2013.
Despite the pairs turbulent relationship at Inter Milan, Roberto Mancini made no secret of his desire to bring the Swedish talisman to Eastlands, stressing in 2011 that he was willing to find a place for him. However, with an embarrassment of riches already knocking in the goals, in the form of Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez, Zlatans ego needed space to breathe. Sick of living in Lionel Messi's shadow, Ibrahimovic's ego needed to be delicately soothed and massaged. Revered and adored by a jubilant San Siro faithful, having quickly forgotten his Inter connections, he was able to thrive on once again becoming the lone superstar.