10 Players You Didn't Know Nearly Signed For Middlesbrough
6. Robbie Keane
Blessed with pace, finesse and exquisite skill, most punters could see that the 19 year old Irish teenager at Wolves was destined for the top. It was the summer of 1999, and Keane had displayed great maturity beyond his years, bagging eleven goals in each of his campaigns for the Midlands outfit in the old First Division. A career featuring moves to the San Siro, World Cup goals, breaking international goalscoring records and a couple of dream transfers laid in store, but before whirlwind of events, it was Bryan Robson who attempted to ensnare him. Such was his faith in the Irishmans talents that the Boro boss was even prepared to break the British transfer record for a teenager in order to bring him to Teeside, but due to the Wolves forwards pushy agent, a deal could not be thrashed out.
''Its got to the stage where something must be done to control agents. There have to be rules about how they operate and how they are paid. The money they are asking for has gone up drastically. I was willing to break the record for a teenager for Robbie because he has got great potential. But his agent was asking for a contract more suited to a proven international and I wasnt willing to pay it. - Bryan Robson, July 1999.
If the former Manchester United dynamo was becoming disillusioned with the inflated prices and cynicism rife within the game 15 years ago, its probably no surprise as to why there is no sign of him in the modern game.
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.
