Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Gareth Bale and Top Rumours

A £150 million spending spree over the summer showed Louis van Gaal means business in his bid to return Manchester United to their former heights, but the splurging doesn't look set to end their.

For the second time in his career, Gareth Bale could break the world transfer record if United are able to make good on their interest, while a recent top-level trialist has rejected a contract offer from Old Trafford.

All that and more is discussed as we delve deeper in the latest transfer rumours surrounding Manchester United.

Gareth Bale 

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United may have finally given up on their hopes to sign former superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, but intrigue in another Real Madrid marvel, Gareth Bale, looks set to grow in 2015.

Ben Jefferson of the Express writes that the English giants will offer a gargantuan £90 million in order to land the Welshman, who as a British native, is unlikely to ever find himself too far from rumours of a Premier League return.

Bale is currently injured and Carlo Ancelotti this week confirmed the winger wouldn't be featuring in Saturday's El Clasico against Barcelona, needing time to recover, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

The world was left stunned by Bale's £85 million move to the Spanish capital, and a return to the Premier League with Old Trafford would be even more of a shock after spending just a year in La Liga.

Van Gaal initially struggled to employ wingers in his system with the Red Devils, but has now started introducing more naturalised wide men into an altered line-up, making the potential switch more natural.

Ezequiel Garay

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United will turn back to a former target this January after it emerged that Ezequiel Garay is once again on their radar.

David McDonnell and Martin Lipton of the Mirror report that the Zenit St. Petersburg centre-back, who moved to Russia from Benfica this past summer, is being eyed as Van Gaal's primary defensive target.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher writes in his Daily Mail column on Saturday that while the Red Devils' defence has been below-par this season, there's potential among their ranks:

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Improvement is not something Van Gaal has to worry about with his defence. Luke Shaw is 19, Phil Jones only 22; Marcos Rojo is a 24-year-old who has played in a World Cup final, while Tyler Blackett is 20. United may need another centre back but that quartet’s best years are ahead of them.

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It's difficult to argue that a certain leading presence isn't lacking, though. The Guardian's Nooruddean Choudry questions why Garay wasn't purchased before, having appeared close to an Old Trafford switch in the past:

At 28 years of age, and playing in his prime, the Argentina international could be the in-form asset needed by the Premier League titans to finally shore up their back line.

Victor Valdes

Having played on trial with United for several days, former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has left Manchester United stunned by rejecting the chance to sign with them.

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Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro) reports the stopper was offered a short-term deal at Old Trafford, but declined the contract as he didn't want to play second fiddle to David de Gea.

De Gea has been one of Van Gaal's standout players this term, with several late saves against Everton three weeks ago effectively securing them the 2-1 victory.

Irrespective of what 32-year-old Valdes may have accomplished at Camp Nou in his past, he's right to feel uneasy about his countryman's first-team security, and one must admire his determination to secure a starting spot.