The Oasis Effect: How Manchester City Came Close to Signing a Serie A Legend
As the news of Oasis’s reunion tour in 2025 sends shockwaves across the music world, it’s a good time to revisit a fascinating tale of how the band’s connection to Manchester City almost convinced a legendary Italian midfielder to make the switch to the Premier League.
Daniele De Rossi, a stalwart of Roma’s midfield, has spoken publicly about his admiration for Oasis and how it almost swayed his decision to join Manchester City in 2016. The Italian midfielder was reportedly offered a staggering £130,000-a-week contract, with Roma receiving a £31million transfer fee.
So, what was it about Oasis that almost convinced De Rossi to leave his boyhood club and join the Blues? "I grew up listening to them, and I know all their songs off by heart," he revealed in an interview. "I liked those guys, they were real characters. They weren’t always conventional or very easily approachable, but I really liked the stereotype they represented – rock stars off their head."
Noel Gallagher, in particular, has a close link with Manchester City, often attending matches and even designing the font for the club’s shirts. His brother, Liam, is also a fan of the club, making it likely that a meeting with both Gallagher brothers could have been arranged for De Rossi had he joined the club.
While De Rossi ultimately decided to stay at Roma, it’s easy to see why Oasis’s music would have a significant appeal to a musician like himself. The band’s music is a perfect blend of British rock and Manchester’s swagger, making them a natural fit for the city’s football fans.
In conclusion, the Oasis effect almost played a crucial role in convincing De Rossi to join Manchester City. While we’ll never know for certain if he would have taken the plunge, it’s clear that the band’s music had a significant impact on his decision-making process.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates