Joshua King has conceded returning to Manchester United last month would have been a 'dream come true'.
United had two bids rejected for King on deadline day only to pull the plug on talks with Bournemouth and sign former Watford striker Odion Ighalo on a six-month loan deal.
King was understandably left bitterly disappointed and being denied the chance to re-sign for the Red Devils after Bournemouth slapped a £40m price tag on his head.
"How close it was I have no complete answer to," The Daily Mail quote King as telling Norweigan broadcast station TV2. "I have to watch what I say.
"I had some faith that it was going to happen. And it was a bit sensitive for me considering that I moved to England as a 16-year-old to achieve my dream and wanted to reach that goal at Manchester United.
"It did not [happen] and then I made a choice and left. When you hear that you are connected to United and a bid comes in, then the feelings you had as a 16-year-old come back to you.
"But why it did not happen, I do not know. I'm a Bournemouth player and I really enjoy it here. But it had been a dream come true, I will not lie.
"The coach [Eddie Howe] was absoutely fantastic with me during those days and was very helpful with me. I have respect for how he behaved with me during the little episode."
King has entered the final 18 months of his current Bournemouth deal and the Cherries are bracing themselves for interest in the summer for the Norway international.
The 28-year-old is currently on his way back from a hamstring injury and has been limited to just 15 starts in the Premier League this season.
King has also only managed to score three league goals this season and provide two assists in that time - well short on his return of 15 goals and assists in 2018/19.
