Manchester United are long-term admirers of Gareth Bale but never felt confident they could land the Real Madrid forward. But now, the club have been handed fresh encouragement in signing the Welshman after Zinedine Zidane refused to rule out his departure.
Jose Mourinho was seen chatting with Bale after United’s friendly with Madrid last week. Meanwhile, Zidane says he can’t guarantee the Welshman will stay at the club. “I hope the BBC [Benzema, Bale, Cristiano] stays but I am not the one to decide,” Zidane told reporters.
Madrid are reportedly poised to make to a £161 million move for Monaco’s teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe. But in order to fund such a deal Real will have to cut one of their existing front line. Bale looks the most likely to move.
Manchester United Handed Fresh Boost in Gareth Bale Pursuit
The 28-year-old, who signed for Los Blancos in 2013, is currently under contract until 2022 after signing a contract extension in October last year. United have made it clear they are on the look out for a marquee wide player. With negotiations for Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic hitting a snag, the time may just be right to finally secure Bale’s services.
Bale has undoubtedly played a significant role at Real over the past four seasons, notching 63 goals in 138 appearances. But it never seemed the no.11 had the full backing of the Madrid faithful. This is despite helping to secure a league and European double for his side last term.
The former Tottenham man insists he is happy in the Spanish capital but the 2016/17 season saw him return his lowest appearance tally in a Real Madrid shirt. Bale made only 27 appearances last campaign in all competitions in what was his most injury stricken season to date.
Spanish publication AS asked more than 40,000 fans for their view on the Wales international and a staggering 72 per cent said that they want to see him sold to Old Trafford this summer.
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