Sir Alex Ferguson 'held meetings at hotel in bid to sign Bale' from Southampton

Sir Alex Ferguson came close to bringing Gareth Bale to Manchester United but concerns over his defensive capabilities meant a deal was never finalised.

George Burley, a former Southampton manager, has revealed he held talks with his counterpart at a hotel about Bale, but they could not agree a fee.

'He was like a winger playing at full-back," Burley told The Athletic. 'Manchester United were interested in him.

'I remember going to a hotel and speaking to Sir Alex and his chief executive.

'We’d already sold Theo Walcott for £12million (to Arsenal) and they offered three or four million so we said "no way".

'I think they were a little bit worried about his defensive side of the game, which we were working at, but he could handle that.'

Bale eventually left Southampton for Tottenham in 2007 for £5m but it took time for his talents to emerge.

At both Southampton and Spurs, he spent time both as a left midfielder and a left-back.

When Harry Redknapp became Tottenham manager, Bale's attacking capabilities sprang into life.

The Wales international left White Hart Lane for Real Madrid in 2013 in what at the time was a world record transfer fee of £83m.

There, Bale has won one LaLiga title and four Champions Leagues.