10 Players You Didn't Know Nearly Signed For Middlesbrough

2. Diego Forlan

There is no getting away from the fact that Diego Forlan flopped miserably in England. With just 17 goals in 98 appearances for Manchester United, he looked absolutely hopeless, bereft of ideas and cutting a forlorn figure every weekend. One must not forget, however, that on the flip side, the Uruguayan was one of the most talented forwards in European football on his day. With three European Golden Shoes, two Pichichi trophies, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball amongst his personal accolades, one cannot deny his class. Old Trafford is one of very few blotches on his career copybook, and only served as the pre-cursor for six seasons of ripping up La Liga. Before his Mancunian misery, his destination could have been slightly more northern, however, as Middlesbrough desperately sought to sign the Independiente hit-man. The month was January 2002 and the only stumbling block in the transfer proved to be the manner in which Boro were to pay the £6.9 million fee. With the Teeside club insisting on paying in instalments, the cash-strapped Argentinian club needed the full sum up front. The prolific Uruguayan had agreed personal terms with the club, who were eager for the deal to advance quickly so as to trump the competition from Lazio and Manchester United. Forlan certainly seemed eager to sign for the club.

''If the transfer is done, it is the most important step in my career. Moreover, the club would get money and my colleagues will be able to get part of their money they are owed. I am honoured that an English club has come to get me.۪۪ - Diego Forlan, January 2002.

In typical predatory fashion however, the champions swooped in with a last-ditch offer whilst the Uruguayan was waiting for a flight to Newcastle.

''It is a massive blow to the club, especially as we had been tracking Diego۪s progress for over a year. I quickly agreed a deal with the club. The player۪s personal terms were agreed, and he was given permission by his club to travel to Middlesbrough for a medical. Diego Forlan left Buenos Aires, with a Middlesbrough representative, looking forward to arriving on Teeside and concluding the deal quickly to enable him to settle down to Premiership football with Middlesbrough. Unfortunately, while waiting for a flight from Gatwick to Newcastle, he was persuaded by his agent to consider an 11th-hour proposal from Manchester United. He then took a flight to Manchester instead of heading to Teeside via Newcastle Airport.۪۪ - Boro chief executive Keith Lamb, January 2002.

Considering how it turned out at Old Trafford, maybe he should have just stayed on course for the Riverside.