Micah Richards claims Alex Ferguson wanted to buy him in 2009

Who would have him now?

Micah Richards was, at one time, spoken of as a mainstay in the Manchester City and England defence for years to come. Now, the 26-year-old defender is on-loan to Fiorentina and out of contract with City at the end of this season. Richards' Fiorentina are in Europa League action against Tottenham, in London, this evening and he has been offering some tidbits to reporters. It was well reported in several outlets that Richards is nigh-on home-sick and eager to secure a deal with a Premier League club. He has also revealed, to The Telegraph, that he once had a chance of signing for Manchester rivals, United, when Alex Ferguson was at the helm. Richards comments, 'I probably wouldn't have left [but] I had a chance to go to Chelsea five years ago, and Manchester United.' Apparently, Ferguson, wily Scot that he was, enquired after Richards soon after Carlos Tevez set his sets on a cross-city move and could not be talked down. The club's owners had a change of heart, however. Richards added, 'I always enjoyed City. They gave me a chance at such a young age. It was emotional because I was at City for a long time, but some day I'll be back there in some capacity.'