Former Man Utd star tried to force through Liverpool transfer after getting lawyers involved

Former Manchester United star Gabriel Heinze once tried to force through a move to Liverpool in dramatic fashion.

In 2007 Heinze attempted to become the first player since Phil Chisnall's £25,000 switch to Anfield in 1964 to directly transfer between United and Liverpool.

Heinze's agent, Roberto Rodriguez, was allegedly told by United's then-chief executive David Gill that the left-back could leave for £6.8million, only for Sir Alex Ferguson to step in and block the deal.

That led the player to hire a Liverpool-based legal firm.

Ferguson was adamant at the time a transfer to Merseyside was out of the question.

Ferguson said: "I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze. We can put that to bed right now and we have done so.

"We have had a couple of offers for him and we have turned them down. Heinze’s agents are rolling the ball all the time.

"But no matter what his agent thinks, we are in the driving seat. I don’t know exactly what Gaby thinks because it’s all coming from his agent, but this has been going on for a year and a half now.”

The Scot added: "We’re aware that he’s taking legal advice, but that’s good. I just hope it’s good advice because we are very confident.

"I’m aware that it has been suggested that he’s using Liverpool’s solicitors, but that doesn’t worry me. He has either got a case or he hasn’t.”

Meanwhile, then-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was left baffled by United's refusal to sell Heinze. He stated: "It’s clear he’s a player we like and he’s a very good player.

"That’s the reason why they don’t want him to leave for us. We made an offer which they rejected. The lawyers are now working on it and so we have to wait."

Crystal Palace chairman at the time, Simon Jordan has since claimed the Eagles were then offered the chance to buy Heinze, and then immediately offload him to Liverpool, where they would earn £1million in compensation for their troubles.

Jordan revealed in his diary Be Careful What You Wish For: “The gist of the conversation was that this agent wanted Crystal Palace to buy Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United and then immediately sell him on to Liverpool.

"My stance was no way were we getting involved and I told [Palace CEO Phil] Alexander to contact David Gill, Manchester United’s chief executive, and tell him of these attempted shenanigans, which he duly did.

"Of course, I took the opportunity to get Phil to advise Gill we would like them to remember the favour.

"The upshot was that there was an ongoing Premier League dispute between Heinze and United and we were required to give evidence and this strange and murky set of affairs was resolved by others.”

The evidence of the above meeting was later used in a hearing, which United won.

After failing in his attempt to sign for Liverpool Heinze told the Daily Mail via TalkSPORT: "My fight is for the freedom to negotiate with any club. United never wanted me to leave for one of the big clubs, but this anti-Liverpool clause is incredible."

Heinze went on to sign for Real Madrid, where he helped Los Blancos win La Liga in his opening season.

The Argentine later spoke of his regret at trying to force a move to United's rivals.

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Sir Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.