Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Gareth Bale and Nicolas Otamendi Rumours

Former Wales and Real Madrid manager John Toshack has warned the maligned Gareth Bale about a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with Manchester United reportedly keen on landing the world’s most expensive player.

The 25-year-old has come in for heavy criticism after an anonymous display against Barcelona in the Clasico defeat and has been jeered by Madridistas at various points throughout the season. But speaking with the BBC (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Express), Toshack warned his compatriot from making any reactionary decisions:

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When you're at Madrid it [criticism] comes as part of the job. Cristiano Ronaldo's been taking stick lately.

At Madrid they don't give in easy. You've got to be winning things all the time.

If you're going to take any flak, it's better to be at Real Madrid taking it. There are worse places to take flak.

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While Bale turned in one of his poorest displays in a Madrid shirt in that 2-1 loss at the Camp Nou, some of the criticisms of the former Tottenham Hotspur man have been massively over the top. Indeed, as we can see here courtesy of Cuatro (h/t Nicholas Rigg of AS), it’s alleged that supporters recently took matters into their own hands:

Pete Jenson of the MailOnline was asked about Bale's situation with Los Blancos and thinks that the added defensive responsibilities he's been given this season might tempt him into a move:

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Last night in the first half he was asked to play wide right in a four-man midfield as opposed to up-top in the three of a 4-3-3.

He put a decent shift in but if he’s working back he can’t also be on Jordi Alba’s shoulder waiting to pull away.

This is why I still think from a purely football perspective he could still be tempted by a move to a club where he would be the star striker with fewer defensive responsibilities.

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At most clubs in the world, scoring two winning goals in two major finals against your two fiercest rivals would earn a player legendary status and, subsequently, the time to rediscover form in a poor run. But things are different at the Santiago Bernabeu, and despite all he has achieved in the relative infancy of his career, Bale is under pressure.

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Indeed, as noted by Andy Murray of FourFourTwo, the Spanish media hasn’t held back in its assessment of the Welshman’s efforts:

With United still apparently interested, per Jefferson’s piece, it’d be no surprise to see Bale call time on his Madrid career this summer; at the moment, he is being made a scapegoat for Los Blancos’ poor 2015. Bale certainly has the class to rise above the criticism, but if a club like United come in with a sizeable offer, he may well choose to seize the opportunity.

The prospect of Bale scorching his way up the Old Trafford flank is a tantalising one for United fans, and he’d represent a dream acquisition for the Red Devils. Bleacher Report’s Stan Collymore recently took a look at some other players who could transform Louis van Gaal’s side into title challengers:

One player who’d represent an intriguing proposition is Nicolas Otamendi. According to Sport (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star), the Red Devils will trigger the Valencia man’s £35.9 million release clause in the summer as Van Gaal looks to bolster his back line.

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As noted by sports writer Jonas Giaever, the Argentina international is a quality operator:

Los Che are enjoying a wonderful season, currently perched in third position in the table behind Real and Barcelona. The 27-year-old defender has been central to their success this season, and while he may not be a household name, Otamendi boasts all the requisite qualities to come into the United side and make a positive impression immediately.

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According to Anderson’s piece, United had scouts on hand to watch the Argentine score in a fine 4-0 win for Valencia at Elche. That should serve as a source of encouragement for the club’s supporters.

A fee of £35.9 million may sound substantial, but Otamendi would go a long way to resolving the perennial issues that have gripped the Red Devils at the back this season.

Elsewhere, Van Gaal looks as though he’s set to let James Wilson leave on loan until the end of the season. According to The Sun (h/t Will Giles of Metro), the 19-year-old forward is poised to lend a hand to Derby County’s promotion push ahead of the closing of the loan window on March 26.

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This would be a fine chance for Wilson to gain some competitive football and experience of a top-of-the-table tussle.

Derby boss Steve McLaren is an astute manager who has a decent reputation for working with young players, and the striker’s blistering pace, composed finishing and intelligent movement would give the Rams a real boost.