Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag had long conversations with Fulham star Willian over a move to Old Trafford last summer.
The Brazilian joined the Cottagers on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. He had a decent debut season with five goals and six assists from 30 games.
Willian went on to sign a fresh one-year deal with Fulham last summer, but Premier League Brasil claim that his situation could have been entirely different.
Ten Hag tried to bring the former Chelsea man to Old Trafford. He had ‘long conversations’ on the phone with the attacker to share his vision and try to convince him.
However, the Dutchman also told Willian that he had to wait for other events in the summer transfer window and United would make a contract offer later on.
Willian, who was out of contract after June 30, was reluctant to wait for the Red Devils. He preferred to sign a fresh short-term deal until June 2024 at Fulham.
Ten Hag has pulled out some surprises during his time as United’s manager. He initially signed Christian Eriksen on a free transfer after his short spell with Brentford.
In January last year, there was a surprise decision to sign Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley while Marcel Sabitzer arrived in a similar kind of deal from Bayern.
After such examples, the story behind the interest in Willian could be true. The 35-year-old has played on the left wing for Fulham, but he can operate in other attacking roles.
Ten Hag was probably trying to add more attacking depth into the squad. Nevertheless, we are pleased that United avoided the prospect of signing the £90,000-a-week star.
The two-time Premier League winner has had another decent campaign with seven goal contributions, but it is quite clear that he is past his prime. United are most unlikely to return for him.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
