According to the Sunday Mirror, this could be the week which sees Gareth Bale’s move from Real Madrid to Manchester United go up a gear or two.
It’s been a busy summer for Los Blancos after Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock transfer to Serie A champions Juventus and things may well be about to go that step further.
Bale, who scored a match-winning brace in the Champions League final against Liverpool, has made it clear he needs more time next season. Zinedine Zidane was unable to grant the Welsh star that, which led to the United and Bayern Munich links, but Real Madrid’s new boss Julen Lopetegui could have different plans in store.
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The former Tottenham star really should be Madrid’s main man next season with Ronaldo gone, but it’s not always that simple at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Is United the best destination for Bale? Absolutely. Yes.
The Mirror play up that possibility this morning, as they report that Bale will sit down with Madrid this week for crunch talks about his future.
They also claim that Bale’s move to United is contingent on Madrid’s other business. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard could go the other way to replace either Ronaldo or Bale or perhaps both. There’s a load of ifs, buts and maybes surrounding this story, so buckle up as we expect the next three weeks to set the transfer window alight.
All players mentioned are free of international duty now – Wales didn’t make the World Cup, while Belgium finished third – so clubs can get negotiations underway.