6 Players You Didn't Know Almost Signed For Leeds

3. Frank Lampard

In May 2001, Frank Lampard was on the precipice of leaving West Ham United after growing unsettled at the London side and put a series of clubs on red alert when he revealed he may have to quit the Hammers in order to fulfill his ambitions. The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Leeds and Monaco were all interested at the time, and then-Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand urged his fellow Englishman to make the switch to Elland Road. Ferdinand, who played with Lampard at Upton Park, said:

"He's the type who would do really well at Leeds. The club are looking for top-quality players and he certainly falls into that category. He's under contract to West Ham but he's made it clear he wants to go. It looks like he's going to leave. Frank's a great player and he's also my mate. If he ends up at Elland Road I will be well pleased."

Leeds manager David O'Leary was known to be a big fan of Lampard but, as we all know, he would instead opt for a move to Chelsea, where he would go on to play for the next 12 years before being released from his contract this summer.