Former Manchester United head coach David Moyes has revealed that he came close to securing services of Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale during his time at Old Trafford.
Moyes took over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd in the summer of 2013, the same off-season that Welsh forward made the switch to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Scot reported that the Red Devils tried to beat the Los Blancos to the Welshman that summer and were on the brink to lure former Spurs forward at Old Trafford.
However, they were fighting a losing battle against the Real Madrid.
Moyes told eirSport: ‘I wanted him to be my first signing at Manchester United. We came close, spoke to him, but he had his heart set on Real Madrid and we couldn’t talk him out of it.
‘It was a real disappointment because I saw him as a Manchester United-type player.
‘He carries himself well, I think he’s a terrific player. He can play wide, we can play as a striker now that he’s developed that.
‘I just think all round he’s a terrific athlete and a brilliant footballer so I think that he would have fitted what we wanted but I couldn’t talk him out of it.’
As Moyes failed to lure Bale to the Theatre of Dreams, it was a disappointing transfer window for the Reds.
Instead of signing one of the best players at that time Moyes ended up by luring Guillermo Varela, Saidy Janko and Marouane Fellaini at Old Trafford adding Spanish playmaker Juan Mata to the ranks during the January transfer window back in 2014.
The walse international winger has gone on to win three Champions Leagues times and claim one La Liga troy during his time at Real Madrid, but expected to leave the club this summer after failing to secure the first-team spot.
Man Utd still believed to be interested in luring the 29-year-old forward at Old Trafford and planning big-money move for his signature when the summer transfer window will be re-opened.