Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Hope Grows Amid Latest Rumours

Manchester United's belief that they can lure Real Madrid's Gareth Bale away from the Bernabeu is growing ahead of the summer transfer window, potentially using David De Gea in a swap deal. 

The Red Devils' interest in Welshman Bale has long been reported, and it is now looking "increasingly likely" that they will go in for him this summer, per John Richardson of the Sunday Express.

There are a number of other clubs reportedly interested in the winger—such as Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Chelsea, according to the MailOnline's Rob Shepherd—but United seemingly hold the edge.

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Red Devils goalkeeper De Gea is a long-term target for Los Blancos, but United will demand no less than £45 million if they are to part with their Spanish shot-stopper, per Richardson.

However, they could also be prepared to do a player-plus-cash deal for Bale if De Gea declines a new £200,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford, and depart for the Bernabeu. 

Bale will not come cheap. He moved to Real from Tottenham Hotspur for a world-record transfer fee of £85.3 million in 2013.

But Real's potential eagerness to sign De Gea as a replacement for the struggling Iker Casillas, per Sky Sports, could see United negotiate a decent deal for one of the world's best players:

Reports have abounded this season that the 25-year-old Bale is unsettled at the Bernabeu, having been the victim of fan criticism following a poor spell of form, per the MailOnline's Laurie Whitwell.

However, he has still been mightily effective for the European champions this term, scoring 13 league goals and providing eight assists, per WhoScored.com.

He has also received regular backing from Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, who clearly sees him as a vital part of his squad, per The Sun's Phil Cadden:

De Gea has been United's best player this term, and manager Louis van Gaal will not want to see him depart the club.

Equally, it does not seem likely that Real will be prepared to let Bale go. Despite the latest rumours, any potential swap deal for the pair needs plenty of ironing out.  

Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay Latest

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Barcelona are reportedly set to contact United to enquire about the possibility of signing midfielder Ander Herrera.

The Camp Nou giants are currently under a transfer ban, but when it lifts in January 2016, Herrera is set to be one of their main targets, per Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People.

The 25-year-old Basque only arrived at Old Trafford from Athletic Bilbao for £29 million last summer, but he has become a key part of the team, drawing praise from United legend Paul Scholes, per Goal:

It is unlikely that United will want to see him depart the club, and Barca will have to make a very attractive offer for it to even be considered.

United are trying to make a sweetened offer of their own as they bid to snap up PSV star Memphis Depay. As Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe notes, United need an injection of youth in attack, and Depay could well be the answer:

The Dutch youngster has starred in an Eredivisie-winning side this season. United, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, are pursuing the winger, per Jack Wilson in the Daily Star.

The Red Devils are attempting to get a jump on their rivals by offering Adnan Januzaj on loan as part of the deal, a player earmarked by PSV sporting director Marcel Brands, per Wilson:

"If such a player like Adnan Januzaj would like to come and play Champions League football, you have a chance of making a temporary move."

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Januzaj has played little part under Van Gaal's this season, starting just seven times in the Premier League, per WhoScored.

It is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that United would be willing to let Januzaj go out on loan if it meant securing the signature of the supremely talented Depay.