In one of the more dramatic Premier League transfer sagas, former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has revealed how he literally walked out of a medical with rivals Manchester City to join Arsenal instead, following a last-minute intervention from legendary manager Arsene Wenger.
The Etihad Medical That Never Finished
The year was 2008, and Mikael Silvestre was entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford. Having spent almost a decade with Manchester United, making 361 appearances and winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League, the French international's time at the club was winding down due to injuries and form.
Then-City boss Mark Hughes saw an opportunity to sign an experienced defender from the club's fiercest rivals. A deal was agreed, and Silvestre travelled to the Etihad Stadium to undergo the standard medical checks. However, the process was abruptly cut short.
"I was halfway through my medical in Manchester and was very close to finalising a move to the club," Silvestre confessed in an interview with Poker Scout. "However, Arsene Wenger reached out to me through a friend to try and get me to sign for Arsenal during the medical."
Wenger's Last-Minute Masterstroke
The call from the revered Arsenal manager changed everything. Silvestre stated he "couldn't turn that offer down" and made the instantaneous decision to abandon the City move. He described the situation as "crazy," noting that modern clubs now conduct medicals in a single, controlled session to prevent such eleventh-hour hijacks.
True to his word, Silvestre completed a swift switch to North London. The very next day, he signed for Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, becoming the first player to move directly from Manchester United to Arsenal since Brian Kidd in 1974.
Arsene Wenger's persuasive powers had secured a player with vast title-winning experience, albeit one whose best years were arguably behind him.
Legacy and a Rare Transfer Path
Silvestre's Arsenal career was ultimately hampered by the injury problems that had surfaced at United. He stayed for two seasons, playing 43 games, before moving on without leaving a major legacy at the Emirates.
Nevertheless, his transfer remains a notable footnote in Premier League history for its brazen nature. It highlighted the intense rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal in the market, and the enduring pull of a manager like Wenger.
Since Silvestre's move, the direct pipeline between United and Arsenal has seen limited use. Arsenal later signed Danny Welbeck in 2014 and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2018. Traffic has also flowed the other way, with high-profile moves for Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez, and more recently young defender Ayden Heaven.
Yet, the image of a player leaving a medical examination unfinished to join a different club remains one of the most striking examples of how quickly and unpredictably the transfer window can turn.
