Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale Gossip

Manchester United are set to go on another big spending spree in the summer transfer window, but it seems no amount of money will see them snatch up either Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale.

Real Madrid's superstar duo have been consistently linked with the Red Devils in recent months, with speculation increasing as the season's end draws closer, per Bruce Archer in the Daily Express.

However, despite the consistent rumble of the rumour mill, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague is insistent that neither Bale nor Ronaldo will leave the Bernabeu in the summer:

Ronaldo's link with United is an obvious one, having spent six successful seasons at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009 ahead of a record-breaking transfer to Real for £80 million.

Various sources had suggested that Ronaldo could be persuaded to move back to Manchester, per Metro Sport, but it always seemed unlikely considering his value to Real:

Bale always seemed the potentially more realistic target for Louis van Gaal, the Welshman having endured an unhappy time of late at the Bernabeu, facing criticism from fans after a run of indifferent form, per MailOnline's Laurie Whitwell. 

B/R UK's Thom Gibbs also suggests below that Angel Di Maria could be used in a swap for Bale, the Argentine having struggled at United since his move from the Bernabeu last summer:

United have a historical interest in Bale, and they tried to hijack Real's move for the Wales international before he moved from Tottenham to Madrid for £86 million in 2013, per David Kent on MailOnline.

He would add blistering pace to United's attack, often a hallmark of the best Red Devils sides, and could potentially be the superstar they need to return to title-winning ways. 

However, Balague's latest comments simply back up what Real Madrid President Florentino Perez said recently regarding a possible sale of Bale, per Marca (h/t Archer): "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."

United will always be linked with the world's best players, and they look to be slowly edging back to the top of world football after last season's disaster in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.

Some more savvy additions from Van Gaal in the summer, and the Red Devils could be legitimate title challengers once again. They also look set to return to the Champions League.

But Bale and Ronaldo always seemed out of reach—for any team—because it is both unlikely that Real would move them on or that either player would wish to leave the club.