Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale, David De Gea Swap Talk Emerges

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale has long been linked with a move to Manchester United and speculation is persisting, this time involving a potential swap deal with goalkeeper David de Gea.

Both players have been suggested as possible targets for the other club and the suggestion of a swap deal is logical in that respect. However, the interest in such a move is reported to stem from Madrid's side.

Manchester Evening News' James Robson reports:

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Manchester United have been alerted to Gareth Bale’s potential availability in the summer - but Real Madrid will want David de Gea to be involved in any deal to take the world’s most expensive player to Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal’s hopes of landing the Welshman will also be dependent on United securing Champions League football next season.

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For United any such suggestion would put them in a difficult position. Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea would understandably be potentially interested in a return to his homeland, but he is also one of the very best in his position worldwide. Given his age, he would be difficult to replace.

Only recently, he proved his growing worth in claiming his 50th clean sheet for the club and was last year tipped by coach Chris Woods to become the best in the world:

While Bale is an attractive proposition, United's history of difficulties in replacing established No. 1 goalkeepers would suggest any such deal is unwise—especially with De Gea still yet to peak in his career.

Speculation linking Bale with what would be a shock move away from the Santiago Bernabeu so early in his stint in Spain is also questionable in that the Welshman has performed well when fit this season. He also helped fire the side to a 10th European Cup earlier this year.

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It would be no surprise if United were to enter the market heavily in January once more and, indeed, wide forward is a position that the club needs to strengthen beyond Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria. In that respect, there are few more obvious targets than Bale.

However, given the woes that the club has endured in defence this season, it is unlikely that signing Bale is seen as the first priority at this point in time. Much more important, rather, is the need to find reliable and healthy defensive options.

In that respect, selling De Gea would also do little to ensure continued defensive improvement into next season regardless of who can be secured as a replacement.

While United would be delighted if Bale were to become available, such swap deals are featured in media reports far more often than actually coming to fruition. Selling De Gea would likely be, and should be, a step too far for the club to consider in their pursuit.

Van Gaal has shown a determination to secure big talents since arriving at Old Trafford and has seen several signings make an instant impact. Bale fits in with that transfer policy, but the Red Devils must be considered more likely to part with cash than a valuable playing asset when it comes to making a deal work with the Madrid side.