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.