I started at Manchester United and was left devastated when my return transfer failed

Joshua King reflects on his failed return to Old Trafford - in 2020 - when Man United wanted to sign him under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Manchester United have signed a number of strikers across recent years; including Wout Weghorst, Odion Ighalo, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and a return for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Few of those names have worked out with key figures upstairs, once again, set to target attacking reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window. This time around, Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are among the names tipped to move to Old Trafford.

However, five years ago, things could have been extremely different - with former Bournemouth star Joshua King in-line for a switch to United. The forward joined the Manchester club's Academy as a 16-year-old, and had various loan spells before he moved away permanently in 2013 to Blackburn Rovers.

Two years later, he joined AFC Bournemouth and quickly became an integral figure in their forward line, scoring 53 goals in 184 appearances.. However, in 2020, he was earmarked to complete a shock move back to United, and link-up with fellow Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before his club got in the way.

Reflecting on the failed switch, King told VG: "The dream was to play for United. Now United are struggling with a striker.

"They have a Norwegian coach who's interested. Put an offer on the table and I came there for free. And then you say no to £25m. He (Eddie Howe) said; 'Joshua, I won't stand in your way, but the club wants X number of millions'.

"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."

Twelve months later, King was granted a move, but he instead he joined Merseyside outfit Everton. He then had spells at Watford, Fenerbahce and he's now playing his football in France with Toulouse.

But, it was the failed transfer to United that prompted him to seek a permanent switch away from the Vitality Stadium, as he recalled: "I don't know if it came from Eddie or if it came from the club. But it came from somewhere. And that was part of the reason why I wanted to leave Bournemouth and try a new chapter."

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