Manchester United saw a sensational bid worth £130million for Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati rejected last summer, according to reports.
The 18-year-old burst spectacularly into the first-team at the Nou Camp last season, scoring eight goals in 33 appearances - and has since attracted big-name interest.
Mundo Deportivo have now claimed Fati's eye-catching displays saw United stump up the eye-watering package.
The offer was promptly rejected by former Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu, however, with the club unsurprisingly not willing to offload their brightest talent.
United's audacious swoop came with the LaLiga giants in the midst of a financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.