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20th March 2025
05:20pm GMT
Sol Campbell has revealed that he almost signed for another 'big six' club before joining Arsenal.
The defender opened up about a career changing transfer from Tottenham, which was blocked by Lord Sugar, chairman and part owner of the club at the time.
After nine years at the club, football politics ended up playing a big role in making the decision behind his next move.
Ultimately, he made one of football's most controversial moves when he remained in North London and signed to Spurs rivals Arsenal in 2001.
However, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Campbell revealed how he almost ended up at Manchester United.
Old Trafford's own Gary Neville personally called him, trying to convince him to join the club, however Lord Sugar, is alleged to have put a stop to the plans.
It was this interference that Campbell suggests led him to make the shocking switch.
To this day the move is remembered as one of the most notorious in Premier League history, with many Spurs fans labelling Campbell as 'Judas'.
"You [Neville] bloody called me! I remember, I was having an afternoon nap, and the phone call came through and Gary asked me if I fancied United," he recalled.
"I must have been about 21 then… it did go further, but Sugar blocked it," he added.
Commenting on the former chairman Lord Sugar, the retired defender hint at issues, stating: "A lot of players have had difficult times with him."
Campbell further revealed that clubs such as Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Barcelona all showed interest in him before he signed with Arsenal.
