Harry Redknapp claimed that he nearly signed Andriy Shevchenko for West Ham in 1994 when he was in charge at Upton Park, when speaking exclusively to Sky Sports.
The 72-year-old was Hammers boss from 1994 up until 2001.
And Redknapp brought plenty of exciting talents to the club during his seven year reign as West Ham boss, including the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Freddie Kanoute, Marc Reiper and Jermain Defoe.
It seems as though the Hammers were very close to making a truly exceptional signing 26 years ago, however.
Redknapp told Sky Sports how West Ham took Andriy Shevchenko on trial in 1994:
“I think it was Shevchenko. There were no foreign players here. We got a phone call from some proper chaps round the East End. They were doing lots of business in Russia and Ukraine. They said ‘we can get you a couple of players over here, the best ones, for you to have a look at’. Two players came over, and a game was fixed up with Barnet reserves. Shevchenko got two goals. We liked him but he was something like a million pound. I remember talking to Frank after and just saying it’s too much money.”
Shevchenko ended up as an absolute legend in the game.
The Ukrainian ace scored 294 goals in 621 games for club and country throughout what was a glittering career (Transfermarkt).
The now 43-year-old won six league titles, 11 domestic cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League during his time in the game.
Shevchenko also won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2004.
He did move to England eventually in 2006, when he joined Chelsea for £30 million. But he failed to have much of an impact in England.
Who knows what might have happened had he joined West Ham before he had even reached his prime 26 years ago, however.
His career might have ended up very different, that’s for sure.
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