Bale willing to join United on loan or a permanent move if a deal can be agreed with Real Madrid, but United need to show official interest
Tuesday 15 September 2020 21:05, UK
Manchester United are keeping their options open and may turn to a loan move for Gareth Bale should they be unsuccessful in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
Sancho remains United's top transfer target this summer, and despite progress with Sancho's representatives on the issues of agent fees and personal terms, Borussia Dortmund are yet to budge on their £108m asking price.
United are actively looking at alternatives to Sancho, including the prospect of bringing in a more experienced player on loan, alongside another younger signing.
Bale told Sky Sports News earlier this month he would consider a move to the Premier League if Real Madrid let him leave and is open to joining United on loan or a permanent move, although United would have to show official interest in signing the 31-year-old before he would consider moving to Old Trafford.
Bale does not want to be considered a back-up option, but is desperate to leave the La Liga giants and would be willing to move to any of the world's biggest clubs if they show they really want to sign him.
Madrid have never officially put Bale up for sale, but are prepared to let him leave on loan this summer and need to do a deal because of the impact of coronavirus on their finances.
Speaking on Transfer Talk on Monday, Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper said: "Jadon Sancho is the topic of discussion on the red side of Manchester but at Old Trafford, I think they're fairly gloomy about this one right now.
"I don't think it's going in the way that Manchester United would like it to go. Borussia Dortmund are sticking to their guns with the price they are looking for.
"I started off this summer by saying I didn't see a situation where Manchester United would write a £100m cheque for Jadon Sancho and I think that's the problem.
"They don't want to do that and don't feel like they are in a position to do that.
"United are looking at other alternatives and another strategy. The plan B would be looking for a more experienced player on loan, couple with a younger player learning the ropes.
"Manchester United are looking for a certain sort of pedigree if they go down that route.
"[Gareth] Bale is certainly an option for Manchester United. He fits the requirements United are looking for, if they don't end up with Sancho, but under those restrictions of a loan deal, rather than a permanent one.
"That might be less palatable for the Welshman under those conditions."
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol on The Transfer Show:
"We've been told that Gareth Bale is an option for Man Utd, but only on loan. The concern I would have is that whenever we've spoken to anyone close to Bale, we've been told moving on loan is not an option for Gareth. That is something that is difficult.
"He's also 31 now, and has made it clear that he wants to play football. This image that people have of him of someone happy to play golf and pick up his £500,000-a-week is inaccurate. That suggests United would have a chance of convincing him to move to Old Trafford.
"But his wages are a concern - United would have to do a deal with Real Madrid, where the Spanish club maybe subsidise some of his wages. But it is a deal that can be done, because we know Gareth Bale is frozen out at Real Madrid."
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol on The Transfer Show:
"You have to have some sympathy with Manchester United on this. There's nothing wrong with them saying they are not going to pay £108m on a player in the current climate.
"I know people want United to get the chequebook out and spend, but in a way, it may sound strange, but you have to admire the fact they are saying: 'At the moment, considering what is happening in the world, no player is worth £108m and we are just not going to pay that'.
"Of course, Dortmund are well within their rights to say: 'Fine, he's not going anywhere, and he's playing this weekend'.
"That's where we are with this deal at the moment."
A large part of United's transfer strategy this summer will require players to leave Old Trafford, with defender Chris Smalling keen on a permanent switch to Roma having spent last season on loan at the Serie A club.
United are looking to bolster their defence with another new addition and have been linked with Real Madrid's Sergio Reguilon, but are likely to need to move players on before any further signings can be made.
"If you ask Chris Smalling, I think he'd like to go to Roma and play football on a permanent basis," Cooper said.
"On Manchester United's part, they haven't had an offer that would even make them blink. Until that happens, they are happy to have him in the fold.
"His availability affects United's plans in terms of another defender. There are defenders they're looking at. They're looking for a versatile player.
"There's an awful lot of speculation in Spain about Sergio Reguilon but I'm told that's unlikely.
"Part of their strategy involves getting players out of the club but the phone is not ringing very much."
