Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Is Unrealistic Target for Club

Manchester United made no shortage of splashy moves this summer, chief among them the transfer of Angel Di Maria and the loan of Radamel Falcao.

But the team was criticized in many ways for failing to bolster their spine, as they've looked weak on defense and could use a destroyer in midfield.

Though United fans may have been glad to see their club spend the big bucks, many have lamented that more of those bucks didn't shore up positions of need. So, logically, the top rumour floating around at the moment is a potential January transfer for Real Madrid superstar and winger Gareth Bale.

Wait, what?

Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star has the report:

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According to reports, Louis van Gaal is a big admirer of Bale, and is willing to offer the 25-year-old a staggering £300,000-a-week to lure him to Old Trafford. 

Sources in Spain have claimed that Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti is unwilling to sell the former Southampton ace, and has insisted that he is a vital part of the team.

But fresh reports have suggested the former Chelsea boss has changed his tune and is willing to cash in on Bale. Those reports claim that Ancelotti no longer considers the Welshman a first-team player, and will stick with Isco when Bale returns from injury.

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There are a multitude of reasons why such a move almost assuredly won't happen.

Bale was recently brought to Real Madrid and has been nothing short of spectacular for the club. United don't need help on the attack, they need to solidify the defense.

Los Blancos need to have some depth on the squad and play enough matches to give all of their stars minutes. It's hard to see Real Madrid selling Bale to United just months after selling them Di Maria. Real life isn't the FIFA 15 career mode.

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But perhaps the most convincing argument for why Bale is likely going nowhere came from the mouth of Real Madrid's manager.

"It seems like many have forgotten that Gareth Bale scored in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals [last season]," Ancelotti said during a press conference. "He is equally important as James Rodriguez and Isco."

So there you have it.

In case you weren't convinced by that, however, there's also this:

He's been really good in the past year, folks. There's little to no actual impetus for Real Madrid to sell.

Sure, adding Bale would be fun. United could tinker with a 3-1-6, with a hodgepodge defense behind Ander Herrera in the midfield and Gareth Bale, Di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Falcao forming the attacking group atop the formation.

Sure, that unit would give up six or seven goals a game, but they might score eight. It would be really entertaining stuff.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

In all seriousness, though, this rumour just doesn't hold water. United are fine in the attacking department and Real Madrid aren't about to sell a player like Bale, who—at some point—seems poised to ascend to Cristiano Ronaldo's mantle as the star amongst stars at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There may come a time when Bale and Real Madrid decide to part ways, and Manchester United is there to scoop up the superstar. That time, however, is virtually guaranteed not to be this January.