In a stunning revelation that could have altered the course of English football, former England international Emile Heskey has disclosed how he came within hours of joining Manchester City during the early days of their transformative takeover.
The powerful striker, who earned 62 caps for his country, was on the brink of a move to the Etihad Stadium in 2009 when manager Mark Hughes identified him as a key target. This was during the initial phase of City's new era under Abu Dhabi ownership, just before their ascent to footballing dominance.
The Transfer That Nearly Was
'It was literally hours away,' Heskey revealed during an exclusive interview. 'I'd spoken to Mark Hughes, everything was almost done. Then Martin O'Neill called me and said "What are you doing? You can't go there!".'
The intervention from his then-Aston Villa manager proved decisive, convincing Heskey to remain at Villa Park rather than embark on what would become Manchester City's remarkable journey from mid-table contenders to Premier League giants.
A Different Football Landscape
At the time of the potential transfer, Manchester City were a far cry from the footballing powerhouse they would become. The club had just begun their transformation under new ownership, with the signing of Robinho for £32.5 million signaling their ambitious intentions.
Heskey's arrival would have preceded the club's era-defining signings of Sergio Agüero, David Silva, and Yaya Touré, potentially making him one of the first major statements of the new regime.
The Career Path That Followed
Instead of joining City's revolution, Heskey remained at Aston Villa for another season before moving to Aston Villa in 2012. His decision came during a period when City were still establishing their identity under wealthy ownership, without the guarantee of future success that seems obvious in hindsight.
The revelation offers a fascinating 'what if' moment in Premier League history, raising questions about how different both Heskey's career and Manchester City's development might have been had the transfer been completed.
Heskey's near-move serves as a reminder of how fine margins and last-minute decisions can shape footballing destinies, both for players and clubs chasing glory.
