The Liverpool winger became the first English player to cash in on the Bosman ruling when he joined Real Madrid in 1999.
McManaman and the Reds had been in discussions over a new deal for the previous couple of seasons, though it seemed clear from very early on that the England international would ultimately be lured abroad at the end of his existing Anfield deal. Liverpool, fearing they would lose the academy graduate for nothing, accepted a £12m offer from Barcelona in August 1997, but the Catalans opted to sign Rivaldo instead and McManaman returned to Merseyside.
He did eventually move to Real Madrid in 1999, saying in the Spanish capital for four years and winning two La Liga and two Champions League titles along the way.
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