MANCHESTER UNITED passed up the chance to sign 17-year-old Kai Corbett because he was too expensive, according to reports.
West Ham kid Corbett has recently has trials with Bristol City and the Red Devils and even scored in United‘s Under-18s win over Blackburn earlier this month.
It led to speculation he would soon be becoming a full time Manchester United player.
Bristol City were also understood to be weighing up a move for the midfielder who has scored just short of 150 goals in three seasons for West Ham’s youth sides.
But Twitter account ExWHUemployee, who is quite reliable on matters relating to the Hammers, pointed out that, despite his tender years, Corbett comes with a big price tag.
A message on the account read: “He was on trial at Manchester United but if he leaves West Ham, his new club have to pay a large compensation deal, and Manchester United felt he wasn’t worth that apparently.”
But an account that appeared to be Corbett’s posted a statement clarifying the situation on Twitter.
He wrote: “I had a very positive meeting with West Ham so I am delighted to say that I have chosen to stay at the club I’ve spent the last six years at.
Just to answer all the questions
pic.twitter.com/wDiRBGst4u
— Kai Corbett (@KaiCorbett6) February 16, 2020
“My goal is to play at the highest level of professional football so I’m sure people will understand that it’s important to me that I’m given opportunities to progress.
“Although most don’t know, I actually chose not to go to look at a number of other Premier League clubs as I felt, on reflection, that West Ham United will help develop my game and give me the chance to push and grow towards first-team football.
“I am looking forward to progressing with West Ham United and will work hard and perform well to earn my opportunities to keep climbing closer to my goal of playing in the Premier League.”
