Manchester United failed with a bid of “three or four million” for Gareth Bale when the Welshman was making waves at Southampton, says George Burley, with the sale of Theo Walcott to Arsenal leaving the Red Devils frustrated.
Sir Alex Ferguson was forever in the market for top young talent during his iconic reign at Old Trafford, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney snapped up when still in their teens.
A similar deal was sought for Bale, who burst onto the scene at Southampton to quickly register on the radar of leading sides in the Premier League.