Okore didn’t want to move to the Bridge for fear of not being played.
FC Nordsjaelland defender Jores Okore has revealed that he made the brave decision not to join Chelsea in January 2013 after a bid was agreed for the Dane, due to a lack of first team opportunities.
The Blues and the Superligaen club decided on a fee for the Denmark international, only for the centre-back to reject the move as Okore feared he would not get any playing time.
“I chose to turn it down as it did not fit the strategy I have for my future. My biggest wish is to play first team football and that was not something that was on the cards,” the 20-year-old was quoted on goal.com.
“You have to think about your own future and I am only 20 years old. For me first team football is the priority. In a couple of years we can talk about money, big clubs and regular football there.
“It was difficult turning down Chelsea, but it would also have been difficult turning down Manchester United.”
The Danish defender has also been targeted by United having impressed in his native country, helping Nordsjaelland finish second in the table.
Okore played 34 matches for the club in all competitions and scored four goals, also featuring five times in the Champions League including two matches against the Blues.
The young centre-back has been a regular inclusion in the starting XI with Nordsjaelland for the past three seasons and earned a call-up to the Denmark senior squad in 2011/12 – with Okore having played six times for his country since.
Whether or not the Red Devils aim to try and convince the Dane that Old Trafford would be a better destination this summer remains to be seen.
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