Internazionale defender Yuto Nagatomo has claimed that he rejected an offer from Manchester United in the January transfer window.
With United experiencing a flurry of injuries in the full-back positions throughout the season, Louis van Gaal was looking for an option in the transfer window, with Olympiakos’ Omar Elabdellaoui the prime target for the Red Devils.
And the Japanese international has now said that United made an offer for him, but he rejected it as he wanted to stay at the San Siro.
Speaking with Inter’s official TV channel, the 29-year-old said:
I like everything about Inter, I want to stay here and renew my contract.
I turned down an offer from Manchester United, as my desire is to stay here. I have an excellent rapport with Roberto Mancini.
It would not be surprising if United had indeed gone into the market for Nagatomo. With Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo out with long-term injuries, Daley Blind was the only senior option left at left-back.
But with the Dutchman shifted to the centre of defence, young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was the only natural left-sided defender remaining and it seems that the youngster’s performances dissuaded van Gaal from delving into the market.
If Nagatomo had indeed made the move to Old Trafford, he would have become the second Japanese player to play for the Red Devils, with Shinji Kagawa the first man to don the famous red shirt.
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