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In 2008, Chelsea were linked with Brazil star Robinho. The deal seemed so sure that Chelsea’s official website were preparing to sell shirts with his name on.

Robinho forged a reputation as one of the world’s brightest talents at Santos before signing for La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2005.

Madrid then blocked his move to Stamford Bridge, as they feared he was going to a direct Champions League rival.

Robinho ultimately joined the Blues’ Premier League rivals City instead in a then club-record deal worth £32.5m.

The 33-year-old has opened up on what really happened.

“I remember that last day of the window,” Robinho told the Daily Mail.

“Tick-tock… my agent called me and said, ‘You have this chance to go to City. There are other Brazilians there, Elano and Jo.’ So off I went.

“Two months earlier, I had spoken to Chelsea boss Phil Scolari.

“But the Madrid board blocked it as they didn’t want me to go to a team in the Champions League that could be a direct rival.”