Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale 'Untouchable,' New Miranda Rumours

Gareth Bale looks set to stay at Real Madrid past the upcoming summer transfer window despite rumours persistently linking him with a move away from the Bernabeu.

Recent poor form and fan criticism has led many to speculate that Bale is unsettled in Madrid and could be open to a move back to the Premier League, with long-term suitors Manchester United heavily linked with the Welshman, per Rob Dawson in the Manchester Evening News.

However, Marca has reported that the former Tottenham Hotspur man is "untouchable" as far as Madrid's decision-makers are concerned, with club president Florentino Perez insisting Bale is not for sale: "We shall never listen to any offers for Bale. He is the key to the club's future, just as I cannot imagine a future without Cristiano Ronaldo."

Indeed, having paid a world-record £85 million for the winger in 2013, Los Blancos would be foolish to move him on so soon, especially as he is still only 25 years old.

He scored twice for Wales against Israel on Saturday in a superlative display, continuing his immense international form and proving his credentials as one of the world's best players.

Perez's comments suggest that Real are, unsurprisingly, going to stick with Bale, something of a blow for United, who could benefit hugely from his pace and talent.

There may still be a chance for the Red Devils to snap him up, though, with the Sunday Mirror's Andy Dunn unconvinced that he will remain in Madrid, per Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement: 

"

I know a lot of people in Spain are saying that he is definitely staying, him and [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I'm not completely convinced and certainly it has been well touted that if someone like Manchester United get any hint that A, he is unhappy or B, Real Madrid are unhappy with him, then I think they will put a lot of money towards him. 

It is so volatile [at Real Madrid], you can't actually predict what is going to happen. I just think if there is a glimmer of hope, specifically for Man United, they have made no secret of the fact they are going to have another £150m to spend and a good chunk of it would be well spent on Gareth Bale, if they have the chance.

"

It is certainly true that United have long been interested in Bale, and they reportedly came in with a last-minute bid for him ahead of his move to the Bernabeu in 2013, per Dawson. 

A true global superstar, Bale would surely cost United at least the £85 million Real spent on him in the first place—B/R UK's Thom Gibbs suggested the possibility of Angel Di Maria returning to the Bernabeu in a swap deal—although a summer move seems unlikely:

As Dunn notes, United are set for another summer of big spending and will most certainly be looking to bolster their defence, with Atletico Madrid's Miranda supposedly a key target.

According to AS, the Red Devils are set to make an offer for the Brazilian, having missed out on signing him last summer after refusing to meet his €30 million (£21.9 million) release clause.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

A year on, and with Miranda a year older—he is now 30—and his contract with Atleti set to expire in 2016, United would surely look to snap him up for significantly cheaper this summer, especially as he is no longer indispensable.

Though United's defensive line has improved as this season has gone on, a centre-back of Miranda's quality and experience would be a huge asset to Louis van Gaal.

The likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are steadily improving, but Miranda's guidance and composure could add an as-yet-unseen level of reliability to Van Gaal's defence at United.