Robbie Fowler reveals Chelsea transfer bid – but Liverpool “denied it”

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“I left on my terms, and I don’t even think this is common knowledge, but the club had tried to sell me a few times,” Fowler revealed when discussing his exit. So, Gianluca Vialli (former Chelsea manager) phoned me up one night, and he’s gone, ‘The clubs have agreed a fee so when can you come down?’ “I went, ‘Oof’, a bit taken aback.

“I had to speak to the club in the morning and I went back to the club and the club denied it, and I went, ‘Well, he’s just phoned me.’ “To prove it, they wanted to send me a fax – that’s how long ago it was – an affidavit of the club’s agreeing [a fee], so I knew my days at Liverpool were numbered. “I left on my terms, but I felt as though I was forced to go.” Robbie Fowler’s exit was ‘hard to take’ A transfer to Chelsea did not eventuate – he would have been only the fourth player to join directly from Liverpool – but for Fowler, the writing was on the wall that Liverpool were ready to move on, which they did in December 2001.

“I think I scored 18 goals, and scored in the League Cup and UEFA Cup final, and I came on in the FA Cup final when we were losing,” Fowler reflected on the season before his exit. “In a silly sort of way, I’m glad I left Liverpool because I got to appreciate it more going back and what life was like at other clubs.” Fowler would only make 12 appearances after rejoining the club, but he has always enjoyed a special connection with Liverpool fans, earning him the nickname ‘God’ and a mural on the streets of Anfield.