Manchester United reportedly turned down the chance to sign Edinson Cavani in 2013, seven years before he eventually joined the club.
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker was brought in on a free transfer on deadline day and has since been handed the iconic number seven shirt, previously worn by the likes of George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, The Athletic reports that United were close to signing him seven years ago following a prolific stint with Napoli.
Cavani scored 104 times in 138 games for the Serie A outfit, including a 38-goal campaign in 2012-13 which prompted United to consider him as a marquee signing in the summer that Sir Alex Ferguson left the club.
Ed Woodward was reportedly keen to sign the then-24-year-old, only for incoming manager David Moyes to block a deal after three scouting trips to watch him.
Cavani instead joined PSG that summer and went on to become their leading goalscorer of all time with 200 in 301 appearances for the French outfit.
Now 33, Cavani will reportedly earn £210,000 per week at Old Trafford having signed a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
The Uruguay international may have to wait for his debut, though, with UK quarantine rules likely to rule him out of United's first game back after the international break.
Instead, Cavani's debut could now come against his former club PSG in the Champions League.
Barney Corkhill
