Salomon Rondon has revealed that he came close to joining Manchester United in January before the Red Devils completed a loan deal for Odion Ighalo.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were linked with a number of forwards during the winter transfer window, including Rondon, before Ighalo arrived from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.
Rondon has confirmed that he was the subject of interest from United, but Dalian Yifang were not prepared to allow the 30-year-old to leave.
"The chance was very close to come back to England. The owner of my club said that they paid a lot for me, he wanted me to stay and didn't want to let me go. He said: 'It's not in our minds to let you go.' I talked to Rafa and then they chose another player, it finished and I didn't have any chance to go," The Mirror quotes Rondon as saying.
"I stayed and I take that experience with me in my life, in my career and I have to wait because I've signed for two years and if I stay for two years it doesn't matter for me.
"My agents didn't say too much. They said they'd call me if they had some news but the opportunity to go was really, really close and the decisions are with the owners. It was a good opportunity for me to come back to Europe but I stayed in China and then we will see what happens in the future."
Rondon scored 11 Premier League goals during a loan spell at Newcastle United last season before leaving West Bromwich Albion on a permanent deal for the Chinese Super League.
Matt Law
