10 Players You Probably Didn't Know Man City Almost Signed
6. Robin van Persie
Usually, when two superpowers go head to head for a league championship, one can pinpoint the crucial encounters throughout the season, that ultimately swayed the balance in favour of the eventual champions. However, the battle for the 12/13 Premier League title was effectively decided three weeks before the season even began.
With Manchester United having surrendered the Premier League title to their noisy neighbours in a cruel and gut-wrenching fashion, Agueros last-minute goal having allowed the blue Mancunians to pip the Red Devils on goal difference, Sir Alex was on the look-out for a potent goal-scorer. With Arsenals Robin Van Persie alerting clubs all over the continent with an essential come-and-get-me plea, chairmen of both Manchester clubs plunged their fists into their respective wallets, rummaging for any loose change they could find to acquire the Premier Leagues hottest marksman.
''We were very close to signing him. I know what the reason was but I wont say. It was not about money. We were very close and we were sure it would be very good for us but it didnt happen and now we can do nothing about it. We were very close three or four months before he went to United. Roberto Mancini, 2012.
With both Manchester clubs having entered the fray, the Red Devils supporters were suddenly in the unwelcome shoes of their previously unfashionable counterparts. They could no longer lay claim to what they perceived as their birth-right - being the best side in their city, and like virtually every other club on the planet, baulked at the wealth of riches that City could offer.
However, with Italian giants Juventus sandwiched in the brotherly tussle for the Dutchmans talents, it was the chance to strut his stuff at the Theatre of Dreams for Sir Alex Ferguson which ultimately won over van Persie, signing a £200,000 p/wk deal at Old Trafford. The £24 million deal for van Persie was regarded as something of a coup, as it proved that Sir Alex and Manchester United still possessed a sway and lure over the newly-acquired wealth of the champions.