'The dream was': Norwegian star says Man Utd refused to pay £25m to sign him, he was in agony
Toulouse striker Joshua King has revealed that he was distraught after Manchester United turned down the opportunity to re-sign him from Bournemouth in early 2020.
The Norway international emerged as a surprise target for the Red Devils during the 2020 winter transfer window. He was fancied to return to United, where he previously made just two appearances.
However, a transfer did not materialise in the end. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave the green light for a move back then, but the United hierarchy refused to meet the £25 million asking price, as per King.
The Red Devils eventually signed Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua, which left King ‘completely devastated’.
King revealed to NRK’s Bakrommet podcast: “The dream was to play for United. Now United are struggling with a striker.
“They have a Norwegian coach who is interested. Put an offer on the table, and I came there for free. And then you say no to £25m.
“I just sat in the jacuzzi for two or three hours waiting for the phone. I called Jim [Solbakken, his agent], who was working on that deal.
“And then I remember reading ‘Ighalo ready for United’. Then I was completely devastated. Then I was way down.”
United made the right decision on King
King had a decent start to the 2019/2020 campaign at Bournemouth. He registered three goals and two assists from 11 league appearances.
However, he suffered hamstring and muscular injuries thereafter and featured in just four league games until the start of February.
With his injury record, United were probably reluctant to pay £25m. They opted to sign Ighalo instead.
The Nigerian striker joined on loan until the end of the season. His temporary stint was extended until January 2021 by the hierarchy.
Ighalo did not score in the top flight for the Red Devils, but had a memorable time in other competitions, finding the net on five occasions.
We believe United made the right decision. It did not make financial sense to spend £25m on King, given his inconsistency and injury issues.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .