10 star players whose clubs refused to sell them

#5 Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney angered many be seeking a move to Manchester City in 2010.

There is no doubt that Wayne Rooney is a bonafide Manchester United legend but the Englishman almost broke millions of hearts worldwide in 2010.

After having spent 6 seasons at the club where he played an instrumental part in his side lifting several trophies, Rooney cited lack of ambition at the club as the reason he wanted to leave Old Trafford for their cross-town rivals and “noisy neighbours” Manchester City.

The striker was believed to have handed in a transfer request and sought a move away from the club but Sir Alex Ferguson remained firm that he did not want Rooney to leave the club, despite the player showing his unwillingness to sign a new contract.

The saga stretched for a few months and with the passage of time, it became very clear that Rooney would follow in the footsteps of Tevez for the hierarchy at the club, to make a bumper offer that Rooney could not refuse, thus securing his future at the club.

While the move to buckle to his demands was criticised by many Manchester United supports, the move helped the club send a clear signal to the other clubs that they had the financial muscle to ensure that their top talent would not be sold.