RB Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick claims his side pulled out of the running to sign Breel Embolo in the summer after Manchester United registered an interest.
Embolo was the subject of a bidding war following a breakthrough season for Basel and Leipzig were thought to be front runners at one point, before United revealed their interest in the Swiss international.
United reportedly tabled a £33.4m bid for the Basel star but he eventually ended up at Schalke.
Schalke boss reveals Man United were desperate to sign Breel Embolo https://t.co/rncntlHaUJ pic.twitter.com/v64gPdRrLL
Rangnick told Blick: The player and the consultant wanted to join us and we agreed Breel's contract with them.
We were not very far apart [with Basel]. Our offer was already very high for the circumstances.
We wanted to let a few days pass, but then suddenly there was an alleged offer from Manchester United of over 40 million euros. I said to myself: ˜Okay, if a club wants to spend so much money on a player, then they will make an offer within a week'.
When after 14 days there was still no specific offer from Manchester United, we pulled out. We didn't want to be in the passenger role.�
He added: Breel would have been very good here, a player with his mentality.
But everything is okay. He is at Schalke, a very good club, and we have brought in Keita and Burke, who will both develop with us magnificently.�
Although Embolo completed a move to Schalke, things have not worked out for the talented forward. He scored his first goals for the club in a 4-0 thumping of Borussia Monchengladbach, but fractured his ankle in the very next match, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.