BALE: I STAY United transfer snub
GARETH BALE has ended Manchester United’s hopes of a £100m summer swoop.
The Wales ace says he could not be happier at Champions League winners Real Madrid and wants to stay in Spain.
That news will come as a bitter blow to United boss Jose Mourinho, who has already ditched plans to land Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.
After celebrating Real’s 4-1 win over Juventus in Cardiff, which saw the Spanish giants crowned champions of Europe for the 12th time, Bale said: “I have signed a long-term contract at Madrid.
“My family is happy and I am happy, so we will continue what we are doing. We are winning trophies and I am happy.
“That’s three Champions League trophies in four years and not many people
can say that. It’s great to be doing that and I want it to continue. It’s why you are a footballer and it’s the reason I came here in the first place.” The former Southampton and Tottenham star says his focus now is on rest and recuperation to shake off the effects of ankle surgery. Bale, who came on as a late sub in the win over Juve, said: “It will be fine in the long term. It just needs to be given recovery time. It will be fine for next season.” United pulled out of the Griezmann deal after deciding they needed a player who could guarantee more goals. That shift has been prompted by the decision not to take up the option for an additional season in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract, with the Swede out until next year. But with Atletico banned from signing players in the summer, Griezmann insisted he would have knocked back a move anyway. He said: “Atletico cannot recruit. It would be a dirty move to leave now. We talked to the club’s leaders and I will be back for next season.” Mourinho must now decide which striker to go for. Real’s Alvaro Morata, Everton hotshot Romelu Lukaku and Monaco wonderkid Kylian Mbappe are the main men in contention.