Man Utd plan cheaper way around signing Gareth Bale

Manchester United are eyeing up a move for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, according to reports.

All signs point towards Real Madrid wanting to ditch the Welsh winger and it doesn’t help his case that Zinedine Zidane doesn’t appear to want the former Tottenham Hotspur star as part of his plans.

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But there have been no takers yet – and the Spanish giants know United have been admirers of Bale for some time.

The Mirror’s Simon Mullock claims that United are prepared to take Bale on a season-long loan with an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months. Furthermore, the Reds are said to be willing to pay a loan fee.

Zidane has already added Eden Hazard to his squad for next season, so there is an even greater chance that Bale won’t be selected for as many games next season – not that the French manager opted for him at all towards the end of the season.

The report adds that Bale is refusing to leave and is presumably playing hardball about his giant contract.

During his time in Madrid, the 29-year-old has won four Champions League (man of the match in last year’s final against Liverpool) and the La Liga, but his time at the club hit with a catalogue of injuries.

I would be more likely to accept Bale’s arrival if it was a loan spell. Surely United have learned their lesson with Alexis Sanchez; all of the risks involved are not worth taking. The Welshman could be a good addition for Daniel James, too.

Two Welsh buddies – with Dylan Levitt also, trying to break into United’s first-team.

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