10 Players You Didn't Know Real Madrid Almost Signed

Real Madrid is often known for their signings. They don't stop when it comes to throwing the cash around to sign whosoever player or manager they want in their team to make their squad more stronger than the others. They have made some famous signings like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and James Rodriguez.

In the past decade, some signings has been made by Los Blancos successfully but sometimes they were unable to do so. It may be because of player doesn't want to, some other clubs outshined the Spanish Giants or maybe because of some other reasons.

This list has been organized according to the year Real Madrid made an attempt to sign these players.

Today in this list, we're going to have a look at those 10 Players who almost signed Real Madrid but the deal was called off at the last moment.

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Steven Gerrard in 2003

Steven Gerrard is an English Footballer. Throughout his career, he has played for two clubs only--Liverpool and Los Angeles. He has played most games for the Liverpool. Though he was offered to join Real Madrid not once but twice. But both times he got away saying he doesn't want to join the big club.

In 2003, then-Real Madrid manager reached him to sign him on his team. But Gerrard said that he was loyal to his club Liverpool and he won't be leaving this club.

The 38-year-old is now retired. The last club he played for was Los Angeles.

Vicente Rodriguez in 2004

Vicente Rodriguez is a retired Spanish Footballer. He was considered to be the best left-winger in the world at that time. But did his injury issues his career never got too far. In 2004, Rodriguez was offered a contract to sign with the Spanish Giants but that didn't happen.

When Real approached Valencia with a contract to sign him, it was declined by the club even though Rodriguez stated his desire to play for Los Blancos. So he had no choice but to stay at the club Valencia.

After this incident, the 38-year-old announced his retirement in April 2014. He represented Spain in the World Cup but was unable to make it big due to constant injury issues.

Patrick Vieira in 2004

Patrick Vieira is considered to be one of the best footballers of all time. He started his major club career just at the age of 17 at Cannes and finished off at Manchester City. In the meantime, he played for A.C Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, and Inter Milan.

A deal between Arsenal and Madrid was done but at the last moment Patrick Vierra changed his thought and decided to stay at Arsenal. He believed that this is the place where his football career is going to end.

But he shockingly left Arsenal to sign with Juventus before finally moving and retiring at Manchester City in 2011. After his retirement, he managed M.C U-21, M.C Youth Club, N.Y F.C, and O.G.C Nice (active manager).

David Villa in 2008

David Villa is a Spanish Striker who has played for several clubs and also for his national team of Spain. In 2008, Real Madrid offered him a contract after getting impressed by the Spanish man's performance in league games.

At the time, Los Blancos showed their desire to sign him but it was canceled at the last moment because of some unknown reason that has not been revealed till yet (might be their lack of interest in him).

After getting rejection by Madrid, he signed with Barcelona for a short time. The 36-year-old signed with NYC F.C in July 2014 where he's also the captain of the team.

Oscar in 2012

Oscar is a Brazilian Footballer. Currently playing for the Chinese club SIPG in the position of Attacking Midfield. In 2013, during an interview, Oscar revealed that he was so close signing Los Blancos but was called off at the last moment.

In 2012, Oscar singed Chelsea but prior a month to his signing, he was approached with a deal to sign Madrid by then-Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. But he decided to decline it probably because he also figured out, like Shinji Kagawa, that if he signs to Real he would spend more time sitting on the bench than playing on the field seeing how strong was their playmaker position.

The 26-year-old currently signed to the Shanghai club since leaving the Stamford Bridge in 2017. The Brazilian became the first player ever to score a hat-trick in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final.

David Silva in 2012

David Silva is a Spanish Footballer. He is mostly regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and most probably in Europe. It is obvious that he should have signed with Spanish giants. But the deal somehow did not go through.

In the summer of 2012, Silva was getting several signing offers from Manchester City, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. But instead, he went on to sign with City. It was reported that he chose City over the two clubs because he has always looked forward to signing with City and when he was offered he took it without a hesitation.

The 32-year-old has signed a contract with City until the June 2020.

Shinji Kagawa in 2012

Shinji Kagawa is a Japenese footballer. He was a pivotal member of the Japanese national team in 2018 FIFA World Cup. In 2012, then-Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho sat his eye on Kagawa to sign him up for his team to strengthen his team's attacking midfield position but was failed to do so.

When Real Madrid approached him for his signing, Mourinho made one thing clear to him that his first choice for the position was Mesut Ozil. Kagawa then chose to go to another club--Manchester United because of the playtime that was offered to him. But his career seized to take off at Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old is currently playing for Dortmund since leaving United in 2014 for £6.5m. As a Japenese player, Kagawa holds the record for most appearances and goals in UEFA.

Ramires in 2013

Ramires is a Brazilian-Portuguese footballer. He has played for a number of clubs but most notably for Chelsea. He was the most consistent player who has played for the club. His capacity to continuously play on the ground, skills as a midfielder and his great form made Real Madrid to sign him.

In the winter of 2013, Real Madrid approached with a deal to Ramiers but he decided to decline it. When Real Madrid made the move, the midfielder made clear that he will not be leaving his club. He said that he is happy with his club and sees no reason to leave it for another. On the other hand, he said that he is flattered with the club someone like Real Madrid interesting for his signing.

The 31-year-old is signed to the club J.S Suning Res. for £20m in January 2016.

Luis Suarez in 2014

Luis Suarez is an Uruguayan Footballer. He has played for many clubs but most notably for Liverpool and Barcelona and also for his national team of Uruguay. Suarez won the Pichichi Trophy in 2016 breaking the six-year dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

In the summer of 2014, Suarez' Liverpool contract expired. After which he received offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign him. But he chose Camp Nou over the Spanish Giants saying that it was his dream since he was a child to sign with Barcelona and now his dream has finally come true and saying no to the Spanish Giants was the most difficult thing in his life seeing what team they had back then.

The 31-year-old's contract with Barcelona will end in June 2021. Till now he has scored over 400 goals in his football career.

Paul Pogba in 2016

Paul Pogba is a French Footballer. He has performed admirably well in FIFA 2018 World Cup representing his country of France. During an interview in December 2017, Pogba told that he was approached by Zinedine Zidane many times to sign Real Madrid but he chose not to.

The Frenchman also added that when his contract was expired with Juventus he was landed with a deal by Real Madrid manager in 2016. He was confused about if he wants to sign with Madrid or his former club Manchester United. But he chose not to sign with Madrid saying that he felt in his heart that he wants to join back his former club M.United.

The 25-year-old joined the United in 2016 for £89m with a contract running until 2021.

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