When Liverpool nearly signed Ronaldo for £4 million in 2003 before Man United swooped in

Cristia Ronaldo arrived in England as a scrawny teenr who developed into one of greatest footballers in history of beautiful game. At 18, Portuguese sensation donned red of Manchester United and under tutel of Sir Alex Ferguson, reached heights expected of him, which saw him win five Ballon d'Or titles. Red Devils had faced serious competition from a host of or clubs for Ronaldo transfer, but ne more serious than arch-rivals Liverpool.  

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Ronaldo to Liverpool? Cristia was close to joining Reds before fateful Manchester United move 

In a report by Athletic on Cristia Ronaldo transfer saga, it is revealed that Liverpool were keen on bringing 18-year-old to Anfield. Liverpool's assistant manr Phil Thompson told Athletic that ir interest in Ronaldo began after watching him feature in a 0-2 defeat against Jose Mourinho's Porto. Thompson, identifying 18-year-old's potential, went out to dinner with nt Tony Henry where duo provisionally agreed on a £4 million deal for Sporting youngster.

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structure meant that Liverpool would pay fee over four years of his contract and will pay Ronaldo £1 million a year. While Reds were taken aback by his salary demands, y were still seen on bringing Ronaldo to Liverpool, with manr Gerard Houllier himself travelling to watch Portuguese sensation in action. manr saw him in action during  Toulon Tournament, where future five-time Ballon d'Or winner dazzled helping Portugal U-20s wins competition. 

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However, scene surrounding Ronaldo transfer quickly changed after Manchester United swooped in and Liverpool were made to rue ir missed opportunity. Thompson reveals that he and Houllier were having breakfast at training ground when Ronaldo's £12.2 million move to Manchester United was anunced on TV. former Liverpool .2 revealed that duo literally choked on ir food and had idea how Ronaldo transfer transpired. Thompson believed that Ronaldo transfer saga was orchestrated by his nt Jorge Mendes, as his asking price rose from £4 million to £12 million in less than 48 hours.

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Along with Liverpool, Arsenal were also keen on signing Ronaldo, and almost had .28 shirt at club, but deal never materialised. Arsene Wenger was reportedly furious when Ronaldo moved to Manchester United and avoided dealing with Jorge Mendes during rest of his career. Reports suggest that Thompson's version is about Liverpool trying to save face, which was furr coupled by ir signings of Harry Kewell from Leeds that summer. In end, Manchester United were ready to put money where mouth was and it is fair to say that y got ir reward. 

(Im Courtesy: premierleague.com)