Duncan Castles: Manchester United definitely interested in Gareth Bale

Reputed journalist Duncan Castles has claimed that Manchester United are holding a genuine interest in signing Gareth Bale from European champions Real Madrid. The Red Devils were not able to discuss a transfer move for the Welshman last summer but Castles believes United could return for the attacker, should they receive the green light.

He said: “Manchester United are definitely interested [in Bale]. Mourinho tried to sign him last summer. Bale resisted and didn’t do anything to help or facilitate a move. If Real Madrid say yes to it, which they are likely to, and Bale says yes to it, which is undecided, Manchester United will need to redraw their transfer plans. They didn’t plan to sign an attacking player of his status.”

Shortly after his heroics in the 2018 Champions League final, Bale hinted that he could leave the Bernabeu after being left out of the starting lineup on many occasions but the Welshman’s decision may change in the coming weeks, considering manager Zinedine Zidane handed in his shock resignation thereafter.

Los Blancos have yet to appoint a permanent head coach following the Frenchman’s departure and Spanish reports suggest that the Wales international may decide on his future only holding discussions with the next head coach. Bale was said to have a rift with Zidane which happened his gametime but things may change until the influence of a new manager.

Meanwhile, Manchester United appear to have already gone through part of their transfer business for the summer with the likes of Fred and Diogo Dalot being signed from Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto respectively. Fred is expected to provide some much-needed depth at the heart of the midfield following Michael Carrick’s retirement whilst Dalot is likely to play second fiddle to the experienced Antonio Valencia for the right-back position.