Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Is Gareth Bale Still A Target?

It is no secret that Manchester United is currently targeting a wide forward before the transfer window slams shut in 30 days, and a player that could fill that position is Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale. Manchester United has been a known admirer of Welsh star, and reports suggest that the Red Devils could launch a bid to bring the Real Madrid star back to England.

Manchester United have already shown interest in Barcelona’s Pedro and Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller, however, Gareth Bale could be a more viable target. Both Pedro and Müller could be favored to stay at their respective clubs, and with the sale of Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint Germain likely to be announced soon, Manchester United is keen on securing a wide forward before the summer transfer window is closed.

Real Madrid and Manchester United are locked in negotiations over a fee for Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea. The Manchester hierarchy does not want the Spanish goalkeeper to leave, but they are well aware that De Gea could go for free in the next summer transfer window.

Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero joined United on a free transfer and is certainly capable of holding down the number spot should De Gea decide to leave in this window. Manchester United is still determined on keeping the highly rated goalkeeper or at least getting a good deal in the interim.

Real Madrid’s manager, Rafa Benitez, remained coy when discussing the transfer of David De Gea. The former Liverpool manager noted that he has “three very good keepers” and that he can only speak about players contracted to Real Madrid.

“I’ve said in five previous press conferences that I don’t want to talk about players who are in other teams. We have three very good keepers. I can talk about them, not other goalkeepers.”

Benitez also refused to talk about transfer rumors concerning Gareth Bale, saying, “Gareth is a huge player for us and I know that he’s happy.”

Gareth Bale could be seen as a bargaining chip either to lure the Welsh star back to England or to discourage Real Madrid from another bid for David De Gea. Another player caught up in the negotiations is Spanish defender Sergio Ramos. Ramos is currently 18 months away from the end of his Madrid contract.

Manchester United have also been interested in others such as Nicolas Otamendi and Pedro, making a deal for Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale even more complicated.

[Image via themalaysianinsider.com REUTERS/Sergio Perez]