BALE’S FITNESS ADMISSION GIVES CARDIFF HOPE OF COUP

■ CARDIFF remain hopeful of pulling off the audacious signing of free agent Gareth Bale after the Wales star suggested a move out of top-flight football was possible. The 32-year-old said yesterday: ‘I need to see what would give me the best chance of being fit come November and December. I don’t really know if the standard makes too much of a difference. Ideally I want to go into a World Cup playing games.’

■ LEEDS UNITED are looking to close a deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca at around £12million, including add-ons, with talks at an advanced stage. Bayern still intend to make a third bid for Liverpool’s £42m-rated forward Sadio Mane but may delay a formal offer until next week. Darwin Nunez will complete his medical today ahead of joining the Reds from Benfica.

■ MANCHESTER UNITED remain keen on Ajax winger Antony and Derby County’s Malcolm Ebiowei, 18, as revealed by Sportsmail. They face competition for Ebiowei from Crystal Palace, who have offered around £14.5m for Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure.

■ FULHAM are pressing ahead with a move for Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The Cottagers are rivalling Southampton for Bradford City midfielder Freddy Jeffreys, 16.

■ CHELSEA have added Wolves left back Rayan Ait-Nouri to their list of potential targets to replace Marcos Alonso. Ait-Nouri, 21, has also been monitored by Manchester City. City are keen on Le Havre’s 19-year-old centre back Isaak Toure. ÷ ASTON VILLA are to sign Rangers’ prolific 16-yearold striker Rory Wilson. However, the two clubs remain in dispute over a compensation fee.

■ NEWCASTLE are still confident of concluding a move for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike but are growing frustrated by Lille’s fluctuating demands for centre back Sven Botman after initially believing they were close to a deal.

÷ ARSENAL have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian winger Marquinhos from Sao Paulo.

■ FORMER Watford striker Andre Gray is in talks to join Preston.

■ CARDIFF, Huddersfield and Ipswich are chasing free agent Michael Smith, who scored 25 goals for Rotherham last season.

■ TOTTENHAM are appointing former Everton head of recruitment Gretar Steinsson as performance director.