Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Gareth Bale, Ivan Perisic

Manchester United could be ready to pass on the signing of Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic after expectations of Gareth Bale's imminent availability grow.

The Independent's Miguel Delaney (h/t Dan Gibbs of the Daily Express) reported Real Madrid's chase of Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe could see Bale move to Old Trafford as Los Blancos raise funds to buy the striker. United have chased Perisic throughout the summer, but Bale would surely be their preference if they had a choice.

Delaney wrote:

"While Bale has wanted to give the Bernabeu at least another year, it is also known that he only wants to go to Old Trafford if he does leave. United sources now say the club feel they have a real chance of getting him again, and some feel it is one reason why the Ivan Perisic deal did not get completed, given that Internazionale had pretty much set a price."

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Bale has suffered with injury during his spell in Spain, and reliability has been an issue since he arrived from Tottenham Hotspur. 

However, this will not put the Red Devils off if he becomes available as they hunt genuine superstars to replace Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

At 27, Bale has plenty of years left ahead in his career, but just nine goals and three assists in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League last term—per WhoScored.com—suggest Real could be convinced in selling him.

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Per BBC Sport, Inter manager Luciano Spalletti has admitted it will be difficult to retain Perisic if United meet his £48 million asking price.

Spalletti said: "He's an important player in the team and we're counting on him to start the new season."

The Italian coach added: "Sure, there were rumours, but the status quo is that we want to keep Perisic. Having said that, if someone comes in with a very difficult offer to reject, then we'll consider that. But, of course, we'll need to find a valid alternative for Perisic as well."

Here is the Serbian in action:

There is no doubting Perisic's ability, but he is not a world-class entity in the mould of Bale.

Also, at 28, there is little room for manoeuvre in terms of settling down to life in the Premier League, and his signing would constitute a risk if he doesn't produce the goods immediately in Manchester.

On the other hand, Bale is solid gold, and when fit, he is one of the very best on the planet.

United understand the opportunity available if Bale is allowed to leave the Spanish capital, and they will move mountains to make sure he treads the boards at the Theatre of Dreams.