Chelsea reportedly attempted a world record transfer back in 2003 but the player ‘didn’t even consider the move’.
Back in 2003, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich had just completed a deal to purchase Chelsea and was looking to make some statement signings.
As a result, the Stamford Bridge club spent big to bring in the likes of Hernan Crespo, Damien Duff, Claude Makelele and Juan Sebastien Veron.
However, there was one transfer that Chelsea wanted but ultimately failed to materialise.
According to Real Madrid legend Raul’s agent, Chelsea wanted to sign the striker in a then-world record deal back in 2003.
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As reported by The Sun, Gines Carvajal said in 2010: “Many English clubs asked in the past for Raul, but the only formal proposal was the one of Chelsea.
“(Then Chelsea manager Claudio) Ranieri wanted Makelele and Raul. So the same people of Chelsea who negotiated for Makelele made contact with me and Madrid.”
He continued: “They offered €100million (then a world record £70m), but Raul didn't consider the offer because he just didn't think of leaving Madrid.
“I believe that generally clubs know that Raul is the captain of Madrid and, as it happens with players as (Ryan) Giggs, they know that there are not many options for them to change clubs.”
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Raul went on to play 741 matches for Madrid, scoring 323 goals. He then left in 2010 to join German side Schalke, for which he scored 40 times in 98 games.
The Spaniard then played for Al Sadd and New York Cosmos before calling time on his career, Raul was capped 102 times by his country, scoring 44 goals.
Now, Raul is the manager of Madrid’s reserves.
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Speaking about Madrid star Jude Bellingham, Raul recently said: “Bellingham has been the player who's impressed me the most given how he young he is.
“I was lucky enough to be in his press conference as well, he speaks as a veteran already. It's as if he has already been at Real Madrid for a long time.”
Topics: Chelsea, Raul, Real Madrid, Football
Marcus Chan