Manchester City Transfers: The Players Liverpool Missed Out On Amid Financial Rule Breach Allegations
The Premier League club's acquisition of several key players during a period of alleged financial rule breaches has drawn scrutiny, with Liverpool missing out on some of these targets.
Manchester City's upcoming match at Anfield will be their first since the club was charged with 114 financial rule breaches by the Premier League. City denies the charges and is appealing the verdict. The period in question, from 2009 to 2018, saw the club win eight trophies, a timeframe now being re-examined in light of the allegations of "sham" agreements used to manipulate financial accounts.
During this era, Manchester City also outmaneuvered rivals, including Liverpool, in the transfer market. Several high-profile players who could have potentially joined Liverpool ended up at the Etihad Stadium, fueling the intense rivalry between the two clubs.
Gareth Barry
In the summer of 2008, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez sought to replace Xabi Alonso and reportedly made bids up to £15 million for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. However, Villa rejected the offers, and Barry remained at the club for another year. In 2009, Barry moved to Manchester City for £12 million, coinciding with Alonso's departure to Real Madrid. Barry was instrumental in City's first Premier League title in 2011-12 and became the Premier League's all-time leading appearance maker. Reports suggested City offered him wages of £100,000 per week, a significant draw alongside their growing ambition.
David Silva
David Silva was a pivotal signing for Manchester City in 2010. Rafa Benitez, who had previously managed Valencia, identified Silva as a top target. Negotiations between Silva's agency and Liverpool were ongoing in 2009. However, Manchester City swiftly moved to secure the playmaker in 2010, agreeing to a £24 million fee with substantial bonuses. Despite not being in the Champions League at the time, City's financial power and ambition, contrasted with instability at Liverpool under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, proved decisive. Silva went on to win 13 trophies with City and was honored with a statue in 2021.
James Milner
In the summer of 2010, Manchester City also signed James Milner from Aston Villa for £26 million. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea were also interested in the midfielder. City's ability to offer a higher fee, include player Stephen Ireland in a part-exchange deal, and reportedly double Milner's wages were key factors. Milner also expressed a desire to be part of a new era of success at the Etihad. He won two Premier League titles with City before joining Liverpool on a free transfer in 2015.
Raheem Sterling
While not a case of Liverpool missing out on a signing, the transfer of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015 for a then-British record £49 million highlighted City's financial power. Sterling's departure followed a contract dispute and an unsanctioned interview, with his agent making public statements about his client's unwillingness to sign a new deal. City ultimately secured Sterling, who became a key figure in their subsequent trophy-laden period, winning 11 titles before moving to Chelsea in 2022.
