Bale eyes move to United but Zidane refuses request

LONDON: Gareth Bale is reportedly interested in joining Manchester United.

But the winger is unlikely to move this summer, with Zinedine Zidane desperate to keep him at Real Madrid. United have been long-term suitors of Bale and tried signing the Welshman when he was starring for Tottenham Hotspur.

But the Daily Star claims Bale could eventually make the move to Old Trafford, with Jose Mourinho’s side his preferred destination should he leave the Bernabeu.

However, Real have no intention of selling for the mean time and plan on restoring Bale to the starting XI when the new term rolls around.

Bale was hit by a number of big injuries last season and saw his place in the line-up taken by Isco.

The Spaniard was so good that he kept Bale out of the Champions League final XI.

But the Wales international remains a key member of Zidane’s squad, although he could be saying goodbye to Alvaro Morata shortly. The striker is in transfer talks with United and is expected to move to the Theatre of Dreams in a deal worth £70mil (RM390mil).

James Rodriguez is also facing a Bernabeu exit but is yet to receive any offers.

Meanwhile, a private jet from Madrid has landed in the UK amid growing speculation Morata is closing in on his move to Manchester United.

United have been locked in negotiations with Real Madrid trying to thrash out a £63mil (RM351mil) move for the Spanish international striker.

And a private plane landed in Manchester on Wednesday, sparking increased talk Morata had arrived to undergo a medical.

It is unclear whether the former Juventus star was actually on board the plan or not, but a deal between United and Real is now understood to be close to agreement.

Morata broke off from his honeymoon earlier this week to fly back to Madrid in order to try to sort out his future.

He had hoped he would have finalised whether he was moving to the Premier League or not before he married Alice Campello in Venice earlier this month.

But Mourinho has suffered frustration in pursuit of his main striking target with Real refusing to budge on their £70mil valuation.

And now there are suggestions Real are trying to force United into a bidding war by increasing their asking price closer to £80mil (RM446mil). United have held firm until now, believing the £63mil package they have put on the table for the 24-year-old is a fair offer.

But the pressure on executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to deliver the player before the team report back for pre-season training is growing.

United boss Mourinho said he wants to have his summer targets delivered and available to him before the club fly to America on July 8. — The Sun, London