Manchester United have not given up on landing Gareth Bale this summer, and have been in regular contact with Real Madrid.
Despite already selling Cristiano Ronaldo, it is far from certain that Bale’s future is at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It remains to be seen if Real’s new head coach Julen Lopetegui sees Bale as central to his plans, or if he would rather Real move on from both Ronaldo and Bale.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is wanted by Real Madrid, as is Paris Saint Germain starlet Kylian Mbappe, and Bale is aware that Real are looking at other attacking options.
United have made it clear to Bale’s camp and Real that they are ready to take him, indeed if he is available he would be their top attacking target for the summer.
The ball is now in Bale’s court, and he if he tells Madrid that he wants to leave – a deal is very much a possibility.
Bookmakers firmly believe that if Bale does leave then it will be for United, BetVictor make them 9/4 favourites.
BetVictor’s Head of ante post Football Michael Triffitt said: “Manchester United were all the rage to capture Real Madrid star Gareth Bale in late May and the price crashed to 9/4 from 4/1.
“However, with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the Spanish giants to join Juventus the Champion League holders may not want to lose another asset and the Welshman has eased back to 3/1. Spurs would love to recapture their former man and are 4/1 having attracted good support at 12/1 but the dynamics of the market have shifted dramatically and potential buyers will need persuasive tongues to lure him away from the Spanish capital.”