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

Gareth Bale and David De Gea: two players who appear destined to never play alongside each other at Manchester United or Real Madrid. However, both continue to drum up headlines suggesting they will switch from one club to the other.

Bale has posted a less-than-satisfactory season with Los Blancos, and according to Fichajes.net (h/t Will Giles of Metro), Madrid "are now willing to listen to offers for the 25-year-old."

This is offset by conflicting reports by Ian Herbert of The Independent and Adam Crafton of the MailOnline, who add to the mystery over where De Gea's future lies.

United's reported chase of Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne also appears to have become uncertain, after Saints executive director Les Reed told talkSPORT (h/t Richard Parry of the London Evening Standard) "the signs are good" for the England international remaining down south next season.

Bale, De Gea Rumours Continue to Swirl

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

United fans have watched De Gea develop into a world-class goalkeeper over the past few years, from a nervous, yet talented shot-stopper to one of the sport's best. His contract expires at the conclusion of next season, meaning his value will drop by the January 2016 transfer window if he doesn't extend his stay.

Herbert reports optimism on United's part. He believes the Red Devils have become "increasingly confident" of retaining De Gea, with an offer of £200,000 per week allegedly on the table.

However, Crafton indicates "De Gea has admitted privately to friends since the turn of the year that he would not be able to turn down the opportunity to become Real Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper and, in doing so, consolidate his position as Spain's No. 1 goalkeeper." Crafton continues by suggesting "talks have been taking place between intermediaries behind the scenes for several months."

Michael Steele/Getty Images

United manager Van Gaal believes the power is in De Gea's hands, reported by Herbert:

"

It takes a long time now (for players to sign a new contract). It can always happen, but I am not the boss. The player is the boss and he can say yes or no.I want him to stay, but you will have to ask David De Gea, not me. He has to sign, but we have offered him a lot of money.

"

Both Bale and De Gea could be impacted by reports Madrid are set to receive a transfer ban for the illegal signing of underage players, revealed by Jose Ramon de la Morena of radio station Cadena Ser (h/t Charles Ventura of FOX Sports).

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Marca notes both Real and Atletico Madrid will be unable to sign players across the next two transfer windows if this happens, making the former's potential summer move for De Gea impossible unless an appeal is launched and takes long enough to be processed. Oddly, a move for De Gea would either be sped up or become impossible until summer 2016 in this situation.

Real President Florentino Perez is unlikely to want to sell Bale if Madrid cannot replace him with a global star, meaning United may be thwarted on this front.

Clyne to Remain with Southampton?

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Southampton appear keen on putting up a roadblock ahead of a summer in which Clyne is expected to garner interest from United and Chelsea, per Parry.

Reed spoke to talkSPORT about the possibility Clyne will remain at St. Mary's (h/t Parry):

"

We're in constant communication. These contract negotiations are never just one meeting, where everything is done and sorted out. You have to bear in mind, especially with Nathaniel, that we want him to focus on the last few games of the season. That's why you'll get players saying 'let's wait until the end of the season'.

[...] I'd be very surprised if there wasn't speculation about him but, at the moment, the signs are good.

"

United could change that with a mega-bid. One year ago, Reed provided similar quotes over the future of Luke Shaw, who then joined United for £27 million. B/R UK's Matteo Bonetti recently looked at how United can use their cash to create a title-winning team:

Van Gaal's team need five points from their remaining four games to confirm Champions League football next season (presuming Liverpool win all of their fixtures). Getting back into Europe would provide a major boost ahead of summer business.

While keeping hold of De Gea should remain a priority, United need to spend big to maintain pace with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.