Manchester United Transfer News: Latest David De Gea and Gareth Bale Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly willing to lose star goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid in order to land Gareth Bale. That’s according to Steve Bates in the Sunday People (per the Mirror), who claims that the two stars could be at the heart of a complex transfer worth in excess of £100 million.

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The piece suggests that the Red Devils’ desperation to land the Welshman will see them offer their Spanish stopper—who they value at £50 million—and an additional £50 million to bring the former Tottenham Hotspur man to Old Trafford.

Bates went on to explain the club’s desire to land the player:

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United tried and failed to hijack Bale's £85m move from Tottenham to Madrid in 2013 with club insiders claiming the Reds even had a helicopter standing by at the Carrington training complex to whisk then-boss David Moyes to a meeting with the player and his advisors.

Bale has endured some tough times establishing himself at the Bernabeu, and has been criticised by fans recently for being too greedy in possession.

But Van Gaal would take him tomorrow if he could - even though it would mean sacrificing world-class keeper De Gea.

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Here’s a look at why United are reportedly so intent on landing the winger:

According to Bates’ piece, De Gea—who has 18 months remaining on his current United contract—is waiting to see if the club qualifies for the Champions League before committing his long-term future. It’s also noted that in new signing Victor Valdes, the Red Devils already have a contingency plan in place if they’re to lose the 24-year-old.

De Gea turned in another man-of-the-match performance for the club in their recent win at Queens Park Rangers and manager Louis van Gaal had high praise for his No. 1:

United won’t want to lose the former Atletico Madrid man, but as noted here by Scott of Republik of Mancunia, if he doesn’t commit his future to the club soon they will have no choice but to cash in while they can:

There are plenty who feel progress should have already been made on a new deal, however, and Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez thinks the United delegates must stick a bumper deal under the Spaniard’s nose:

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On the face of things this is a transfer that would not be that beneficial to either side on the pitch. Real would be getting a fine goalkeeper that could occupy a spot between the sticks for the long term, but the 33-year-old Iker Casillas has a few years left in him at the top level. Selling Bale would also be a big error, even if he isn’t the most popular figure at the Santiago Bernabeu currently.

After failing to pass to Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema when running through on goal on a couple of occasions, the Welshman has been branded as selfish by some Madridistas, per Bates' aforementioned piece. Statistics would seem to suggest quite the contrary, though, as noted by MisterChip:

Bale is a player that’s showcased a knack for shining on the very biggest stages during his time at the club and his link-up play with his aforementioned forward partners was key to Real’s glorious 2014. Without his goals, work-rate and willingness to play a supporting role to the likes of Ronaldo, Los Blancos would definitely be worse off.

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Bleacher Report’s Nick Akerman thinks that it’ll be a case of the club’s supporters not knowing what they’ve got until he’s gone:

Encouragingly for those supporters who appreciate the work being done by the former Spurs man, Bleacher Report's Guillem Balague doesn't see him going anywhere:

But with rumours linking Marco Reus to the European champions in a cut-price deal emerging metronomically, per El Confidencial (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) and De Gea’s future with the Red Devils looking increasingly uncertain, it could be a fine financial move for Real Madrid. Indeed, any offer of a world-class player plus £50 million for Bale must be taken seriously.

United may already have an array of attacking talent on their books, but their desire to land Bale seems to be unrelenting. The Old Trafford faithful will have long been concerned about losing De Gea as part of this deal, but with Valdes waiting in the wings, it’s a transfer that would no longer leave the Red Devils quite as short in defensive areas.