Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Key to Gareth Bale Rumours

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has claimed that the Red Devils have little chance of signing Gareth Bale as long as players such as Cristiano Ronaldo remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking with talkSPORT, per Ben Jefferson of the Express, the Dutchman claims Bale is settled in the Spanish capital, and he thinks it would be extremely difficult—even for a club with considerable stature—to lure Bale away from playing alongside the 2014 Ballon d'Or winner:

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I’m not sure Gareth Bale wants to leave Real Madrid yet. You can see it in his performances.

It was a dream move for him to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and other world class players. He’s very happy where he is and it would be very difficult to tempt him away.

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As noted in Jefferson's piece, United have long been linked with a potential move for the Welshman, who left the Premier League to join the 10-time European champions for a world-record transfer fee. And although reports regarding a potential sale have been quashed by many associated with Real, per Marca, via BBC Sport, the speculation has failed to die down.

Here’s a look at the kind of talent that makes Bale the most expensive player in the game’s history:

For Bale, things haven't been too good at Real as of late. He's been accused of being a selfish player in recent weeks after failing to pass to Ronaldo and Karim Benzema when running through on goal. But the former urged Madridistas to show a bit more support to his teammate after winning his third Ballon d'Or:

Despite the humdrum speculation regarding a strained relationship between Bale and Ronaldo, it seems as though they share an amicable relationship off the pitch and a prosperous one on it.

As noted here by AS, the notion that the Welshman is selfish is without credence too:

United are a club that have harboured a longstanding reputation for being keen on signing the brightest British talents, and at the moment, there a few players in that bracket who top Bale. United could certainly afford him, with reports suggesting that a new £750 million kit deal with Adidas will fund another summer spree, per Mike Keegan of the Mail Online.

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But a reported figure of £120 million would represent a rapacious splurge, especially with other areas of the squad in need of addressing. It’s something United supporters are acutely aware of, especially if it means losing other key players, as noted here by Football_Tweet:

The prospect of Bale putting in some blistering forays up and down the flanks for United has certainly crossed the minds of Red Devils supporters in recent weeks. But as tantalising a proposition as it may seem, it’d be a major surprise if the Welshman is donning anything but the iconic all-white strip by the time next season rolls around.