Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas and More

Manchester United enter the offseason transfer period without the comfort a team that finished 13 points ahead of the next-closest club in the Premier League table at the end of the 2012-13. 

The Red Devils might be the EPL champs and have a guaranteed spot in the 2013-14 Champions League draw, but that doesn't mean that well-known players will be heading out the door while a new crop of players will help populate the roster after a summer haul. 

Changes have already begun with respect to management, as Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down from his coaching role and opened the door for David Moyes to take his place at the forefront of Red Devil football. 

Back to the transfer window—United have been the subject of rumours for most of the season, some surrounding the infusion of players and others about the departure of current stalwarts in the United lineup. 

On such departure—star striker Wayne Rooney—hasn't generated any major buzz of late, in large part because he's busy chasing international glory right now with his English counterparts in friendlies to prepare the side for the 2014 World Cup. 

As it goes with the most popular and successful teams in any sport, Manchester United will be the subject or transfer news and rumours for most of the summer period. Here's the latest roundup concerning popular names that might or might not be coming to Old Trafford for the 2013-14 season. 

Gareth Bale

The Tottenham star had 21 goals in 34 EPL appearances this year, cementing his status as one of the best players in the English league and earning interest from every team that can fit a transfer bill for his services. 

Manchester United continues to be in that mix. 

John Cross of the Mirror reported on Tuesday that Manchester United is in the mix with Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain for Bale—all the clubs mentioned are reportedly gearing up for an £80 million bid to secure his goal-scoring talents. 

Real Madrid have also been mentioned as a landing spot for Bale, but are looking to stay under £60 million in their bid and might be interested in a players-plus-cash swap to secure a star for Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts. 

There's little doubt Bale and Robin Van Persie would form a formidable one-two tandem at Old Trafford next season, but United is going to have to stave off efforts from a myriad of clubs to fully secure his services and lure Tottenham to part with their star three years early.  

Cesc Fabregas

Right now, Fabregas is the No. 1 target in most English media reports, largely because he will be reunited with former teammate Van Persie from their days together at Arsenal, and because the 26-year-old doesn't appear to have a long-term future with Barcelona. 

United would love to make him part of their future. 

According to the Daily Mail, Moyes is considering a £25 million bid for the Barca midfielder after becoming aware that his current club is looking to sell him off while value is high. 

However, a new snag may keep Fabregas from running at Old Trafford next year. 

As Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reported on Thursday, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger could block a move to Old Trafford through the terms of Fabregas' last transfer, in which the Gunners negotiated a deal to reap half of the transfer bid for his services with Barcelona. 

The report claims that the Fabregas saga will be decided in the next week—until then Arsenal is faced with the choice of having a plethora of midfielders by bringing Fabregas back to Emirates Stadium, or allowing United to steal him away, reap the benefits of the fee and see if Barcelona can hike that fee up enough to break even. 

Other News

In a bit of minor news for the Red Devils on Thursday, Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini denies that his former boss Moyes has talked to him about a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, saying that his destiny is with Everton. 

Graeme Bailey of Sky Sports had the post. 

Noting that his Everton side had a good season despite missing out on Champions League play, Fellaini insists that he has not spoken to his former boss about changing English sides, even though the "framework is in place" for such a connection to be made.

If United should whiff on other midfield targets and fail to keep Rooney, talk could again turn to Fellaini in the coming weeks if the Red Devils are desperate for help at the position.

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