Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Double Blow, Latest Miranda Rumours

Despite intense rumour and gossip, Real Madrid have confirmed they will "never" listen to offers for Gareth Bale—from Manchester United or any other team.

Tom Conn of InsideSpanishSport.com quotes Los Blancos supremo Florentino Perez speaking to Marca about the Welshman, confirming his club will not entertain offers for Bale, no matter how large any bid would be:

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We haven’t received any offer for Gareth Bale, not from Manchester United or any other club. We’ll never listen to any offer for Bale regardless of how important it is.

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Bale has been subject of transfer gossip in recent times with the Red Devils said to be chasing the world superstar, per Conn.

Simon Mullock of the Mirror recently reported the Galacticos would demand David de Gea in exchange in any potential deal for Bale after Louis van Gaal had "earmarked" a £100 million raid for the attacker.

But it now seems any potential fantasy deal is off the table following Perez's latest remarks about their world-record signing from last summer.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Media-savvy agent Francois Gallardo recently claimed on Spanish football show El Chiringuito de Jugones Chelsea had submitted an offer to Madrid for Bale's transfer, gazumping United's move—but that Perez had turned down their huge €130 million bid, per 101 Great Goals.

The former Tottenham player has continued his good form this season after winning La Decima in his first year as a Galactico.

The 25-year-old currently has recorded nine goals and four assists in La Liga and the Champions League this season, per WhoScored.com, further proving Madrid were right to spend so much money on him in the first place.

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In further news, United now face stiff competition from neighbours Manchester City for the signature of Brazilian international defender Joao Miranda.

John Cross of the Mirror writes Atletico Madrid are "ready to cash in" on the player, with Chelsea and Barcelona also watching his situation at the La Liga champions.

Cross says City have been "sounded out" about a move for the 30-year-old centre-back and they could now make a bid in January.

ESPN and WhoScored writer, Dermot Corrigan, recently commented that Atleti will not miss Miranda if he departs, with the emerging talent of Uruguayan Jose Maria Gimenez in their ranks:

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It is no surprise there is much interest in Miranda given Atletico's huge success in the past few seasons. Last year was a breakout year for the defender—despite his age—with his side reaching the final of the Champions League and winning the Spanish championship.

He is perfect for United's current needs and it would be a strange purchase for City—given the money they have recently spent on Eliaquim Mangala.

Mangala is one of the best young centre-backs in the world and surely Miranda would see much of his time spent on the bench at the Etihad.

But at United, he would start and would be the primary defender in Van Gaal's back line.

At the quoted £20 million price, per Cross, Miranda would be a shrewd buy for LvG, if the Dutch coach can capture the player in the next few weeks.