Could Manchester United make a sensational move for Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale?

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United have made the biggest signing of the summer so far after landing Romelu Lukaku ahead of rivals Chelsea, but they haven’t finished in the market yet.

ESPN report that they are prepared to make a move for Gareth Bale if Real Madrid are prepared to lose the Welshman this summer. Although the former Tottenham winger wasn’t on the list of priority targets for this window, United have been long term admirers and would be interested in purchasing him if he was available.

Marca reported, yesterday, that the Champions League winners have reached an agreement in principle to sign Kylian Mbappe from Monaco in a world-record deal and that could open up the possibility of Bale departing. The teenage attacker would have to take the spot of either Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale or Karim Benzema, which means one would be likely to leave.

Based on his resale value and injury record, the Welshman could be the one that is most expendable to Real. Bale wants to stay in the Spanish capital and has a contract until 2022, but if he is told that he will be given a reduced role next season, a transfer away will become more likely.

Would he be a good signing for Manchester United?

It would easily be the best transfer completed this summer as Bale is one of the world’s best players when he is fit. His fitness is a cause for concern as he has missed significant periods with injury, but that hasn’t damaged his playing ability.

In 2013, he left the Premier League as the most devastating player in the division and he would be returning an even better player. The winger now has a winning mentality after winning one La Liga and two Champions League titles with Real. He also dragged Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 to prove that he is excellent in his own right away from his club team-mates.

At the age of 28, he is in the peak years of his career and he could easily play at the highest level for another five seasons. During his last season with Tottenham, he scored 21 goals in the league and he would add another major goal threat to the United front-line.

They desperately need that after failing to kill matches off during the last campaign. At Real Madrid, he has scored 54 league goals at a rate of one every 144.8 minutes. It would be an incredible deal for Manchester United to do and immediately make them contenders for major honours once again.

How likely is a deal?

Despite the interest from United, this won’t be an easy transfer to complete and depends on Real Madrid’s stance towards Bale. They may see this as a good opportunity to cut their ties with the Welshman and replace him with a younger, fitter player. He has become unreliable due to injuries and the move for Mbappe could damage his place in the first-team.