Manchester United were heavily interested in signing Douglas Costa from Juventus over the summer, but the Italian giants refused to sell, according to the player’s agent.
The Brazilian winger struggled for game time in Turin last season as a result of injury issues, and was targeted by United as a potential big name addition during the most recent transfer window.
But according to Giovanni Bronchini, Maurizio Sarri, who took over at Juve this summer, was quick to block a potential move for his client.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “I sincerely say that Allegri and Sarri have never thought of letting him go.
“The interest of Manchester United was strong, a club that has always been interested in the Brazilian.
“It was not the only club but in England it was certainly the most active team on the trail of Douglas Costa.”
Would Costa have been a good fit for Manchester United?
Ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the top job at Old Trafford, it has been apparent that he is intent on making a return to the kind of high octane, counter-attacking football that was a hallmark of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
In that respect, Costa would have been a wonderful signing for the Red Devils.
The Brazilian endured a massively interrupted season last term, but still managed an impressive 4.4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, as per Whoscored.
The year before that, when he was altogether more involved, he registered 5.3 successful dribbles per 90.
You can imagine a player of his ilk slotting into Solskjaer’s vision of United nicely, flying down the wing and bamboozling defenders at will.
Instead, United were knocked back in their efforts to land him, opting to bring in Daniel James from Swansea City as a cheaper, home-grown alternative.
That plan looks to be paying dividends thus far, and full credit has to be given to the young Welshman for how well he has come into the side.
Three Premier League starts have yielded three goals, and as it stands, United don’t look too bad for having missed out on Costa.
Could a deal be revived?
Never say never where United are concerned, of course, but by the sounds of it, Costa still has a future at Juve.
If Sarri wants him, and if he can be guaranteed playing time, then there is no discernible reason as to why he would willingly walk away from a Champions League side to one in the Europa League.
Money could be a factor, but Juve are hardly short of a bob or two.
For the time being, it look as if this one is dead in the water.