August 22 2007

Crystal Palace

Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze almost signed for Crystal Palace in a desperate attempt to join Liverpool.

The defender had a letter from United saying he could leave the club for £6.8million.

But his dream move to Anfield was blocked by United as they did not want him going to another Premier League club.

A Premier League arbitration panel met on Tuesday and ruled that United did nothing wrong in stopping Heinze's transfer to Merseyside.

It was revealed Heinze's representatives tried to get round United by having him sold to Palace, who would then re-sell him onto Liverpool.

Palace chief executive Phil Alexander is understood to have informed the panel of this proposal. Heinze has sinced moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid.