Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Rumours Emerge, Arjen Robben Latest

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a sensational move to bring Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

According to a report on Fichajes.net (h/t Metro), the Red Devils are prepared to spend £90 million to bring the former Tottenham star to Manchester and are "confident" of making it happen.

United's interest in signing Bale has supposedly emerged after any hopes of re-signing Real's Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo were snuffed out, with Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti telling The Sun the move would never happen, per George Ankers on Goal.com:

"

But this won't happen - because Ronaldo will go to the end of his career at Real Madrid. I'm 100% certain he will be here next season not at Manchester United, 100%. He's happy here, he's loved here by everyone. It's a perfect relationship at this moment so I don't think it will change. Ronaldo will finish his career here.

"

Bale joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2013 from Spurs for a world-record £85 million and would be set to break that milestone if he did indeed move to United for £90 million.

However, the 25-year-old Welshman had a very successful season with Madrid last term, combining 15 league goals with 12 assists, per WhoScored.com, and scoring in the Champions League final as Real finally won the elusive La Decima.

Though currently out injured, he has continued to perform well in the 2014-15 season, per Sky Sports News HQ, and it is unclear whether he would be open to a move back to the Premier League with United:

However, it seems highly unlikely considering the Red Devils are not currently in the Champions League and are struggling in the Premier League.

Furthermore, with the additions of Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria in the summer, United's attacking unit looks well set, thus any money they spend in January will likely be on strengthening their very weak defence.

Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

Another winger previously linked to United is Arjen Robben, who was reportedly high on Louis van Gaal's wish-list in the summer, with the Dutchman keen for his former international charge to join him at Old Trafford, per Oilver Todd in the Daily Mail. 

However, in an interview with Mark Ogden in the Daily Telegraph, the Bayern Munich star and former Chelsea player has categorically ruled out any potential move back to the Premier League:

"

I am enjoying it so much over here. It is the perfect club with the perfect manager for me. My family is happy, we have lived here for five years and I am exactly at the place I want to be. It cannot be better than it is at the moment, so you don’t need to have thoughts about other clubs and other leagues. If you see me again in three years in the Premier League, then who knows, but at the moment, there is not even one per cent of me thinking about going to England or anywhere.

"

Whether United do indeed make a bid for Bale, it seems highly unlikely that the Welshman would be open to a move away from the Bernabeu without astronomical financial incentives.

While the Red Devils may be prepared to offer these, they would be well advised to spend their money elsewhere as, despite Bale's obvious quality, he is not the answer to United's real problems, which lie in defence.