Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Gareth Bale and David De Gea Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly been in touch with Real Madrid star Gareth Bale's agent and are "prepared to offer him £16.7 million-a-year after tax" in order to land his signature.

That's according to Spanish outlet OK Diario (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News), who reported the Red Devils had made contact with Jonathan Barnett—the Welshman's agent and the representative of United stars Luke Shaw and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

Bale was restricted to 31 appearances in all competitions last season due to injury problems. However, when he was on the pitch he cemented his place among the top talents in world football with tremendous form that saw him rack up 19 goals and 15 assists.

As OptaJose revealed, the forward is a consistent performer even with his national side, where he is playing with far less illustrious players:

Bleacher Report UK's own Karl Matchett showered him with considerable praise given he boasts Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo among his Los Blancos team-mates:

Indeed, it's hard to pinpoint any weaknesses in the 27-year-old's game.

Along with his electric pace and strong dribbling, Bale is also creative, hardworking, a clinical finisher and powerful in the air. 

United have shown ambition and the willingness to shell out big money on marquee signings as they seek to return to the glory days they enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson, and Bale is exactly the sort of player who could help them do that.

Bale is enjoying great form and success in the Spanish capital, though—it will be difficult even for a revamped United side to tempt him away.

Further, Real won't be able to register any new players next year after failing to appeal their transfer ban, per football Kristian Sturt:

As such, were they to part with Bale next summer, any player brought in to replace him would not be able to feature until the following January, making Madrid even more reluctant to part with such a valuable player.

Per Jack Watts of the Daily Star, the ban will also put off Real's pursuits of Premier League stars such as David De Gea and Eden Hazard—until 2018, at least.

Indeed, while they would be able to sign them next summer, they'd have to wait half a season before they can play. 

Whilst for some players that would be worth a move to Real, for superstars such as De Gea and Hazard it's highly unlikely they'd be willing to do so.