Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule was hopeful of joining Manchester United three years ago.

That's according to Der Spiegel, citing documents in a legal dispute between Sule and his former agents, reports Fussball Tranfers.

"Check the offers from England if anyone wants me there," Süle wrote to Murat Lokurlu, according to the files reported by Der Spiegel. "If someone says they'll take me away from the big clubs, let me know."

Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, but “preferably" Manchester United were the targets for Sule. Lokurlu was allegedly instructed by the Germany international to get things moving.

Indeed, according to the report, Chelsea and United were fundamentally interested in a deal and a meeting was agreed. However, it was not until October 2019 that Süle dared to make a new attempt and approached Lokurlu again: “Do you know anyone from Tottenham?

“I want to go to Tottenham, such a great club."

Despite the successful 2019/20 season, which ultimately resulted in the Treble, Süle was ready to leave.

“I actually want to go to England after the European Championships this summer. No longer in the mood here, I really want to go to England."

However, a cruciate ligament tear at the end of October 2019 thwarted plans and so he stayed in Munich.

The past summer, Bayern's board were willing to sell Sule if they can negotiate a good price with another club, as they did with Thiago Alcantara and Liverpool last year.

Sule, standing at 6ft 4in, is astonishingly quick for his size - behind only Canadian speedster Alphonso Davies as the fastest player at the club.

- updated September 27