Jamie Carragher claims that Liverpool nearly signed a “outstanding” player from Tottenham. “We were in for him

When Sol Campbell moved from Tottenham to Arsenal in 2001, it was one of the most contentious trades in history.

 

Even twenty years after the “outstanding” defender crossed the London divide in 2001, many Tottenham supporters still find that move to be bittersweet.

 

Naturally, Campbell came up in Jamie Carragher’s conversation on The Overlap on the greatest traitors in football history.

 

It’s interesting that Carragher provided some fresh insight into the Campbell transfer, saying that at the time he had other options and that Liverpool, his own team, was genuinely interested in signing him.

Englishman Sol Campbell rejoices

Sol Campbell was being courted by Liverpool. Carroll mentioned that the center back might join the team.

 

Because he had other possibilities, I don’t feel too sorry for that Sol Campbell. You cannot visit your fiercest competitors. “I believe he had the option to go to Barcelona; I know Liverpool was interested in him at the time, but it wasn’t his only option,” Carragher remarked.

 

What might have been

It’s fascinating to consider this as a possible step.

 

 

Remember that in 2001 Liverpool was fresh off an alternate triple victory and prepared to challenge for the Premier League crown.

 

Had Campbell joined, the Reds might have advanced further, he could have maintained his Tottenham status, and Arsenal most likely would not have become unbeatable.

 

All of this is of course conjecture, but it’s interesting to consider some of the possible knock-on implications should Campbell choose to go to Anfield instead of Highbury.

 

Carragher’s career would have been impacted as well. At this point, the legendary player from Liverpool played right-back; possibly Carragher would never have moved to center-half if Campbell had not joined Anfield.

 

Undoubtedly, this is one of the more significant “what if?” transfers in Premier League history.