At 26 years old, Rauls Real Madrid legacy could have been shot down in its prime if he had been that way inclined. The legendary Los Blancos striker, who is the clubs all-time top goalscorer with 323 strikes, was the subject of an audacious world record £71.4 million bid in July 2003. Backed by new billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea were hoping to pull off a marquee signing, but landing the Spanish superstar was surely but a fantasy for a club who needed to walk before they could run.
''Fifa agent Marc Roger, on behalf of Chelsea, asked me if Raul would be interested in entering negotiations for a transfer to Chelsea. I spoke to Raul, my client and he said no. Hes not interested in leaving Real Madrid. They want to pay him £8.4 million a season, double what he is earning at Real Madrid. - Rauls agent, Gines Carvajal, July 2003.
The Stamford Bridge project didnt flit away as many mooted it might, and the success that they have enjoyed since is paramount. However, Raul is currently heralded as one of the greatest players to ever wear the famous white strip at the Santiago Bernabeu, having beaten Alfredo Di Stefanos goalscoring record in 2009. With the club always in his heart, there was no way he was going to sacrifice such an honour for a couple of league titles and a pay rise in England.
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.
