Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Deal 'Almost Done,' Latest Rumours

Gareth Bale's potential transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester United is "almost done," according to Sunday Express journalist John Richardson.

Speaking on MUTV, Richardson suggests longstanding speculation linking the Welshman to an Old Trafford move will prove fruitful, reported by Will Giles of Metro: "I think it’s almost a done deal to be honest," said Richardson. "I know somebody very close to Gareth Bale and the public are not hearing the real thing. He's very unhappy there and he’s unhappy with his treatment."

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Bale has suffered a disappointing season in Spain, one marked by jeers from his own club's supporters. He missed several opportunities to impact the score during Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League semi-final second-leg draw with Juventus, a result that eliminated Los Blancos 3-2 on aggregate.

Such a performance follows on from Jonathan Barnett, his agent, claiming that the player is "obviously p----d off things aren't going well," reported by John Percy of the Telegraph. Barnett believes Bale's Madrid team-mates need to "pass the ball to him more."

However, Richardson's comments suggest the Spanish squad won't need to do this for much longer. Mark Ogden of the Telegraph backed up his fellow journalist's comments on the MUTV broadcast, reported by Giles:

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If I was a betting man and I had £50 spare to put on where [Bale] would go, I think he’d end up here this summer. I’ve just got this feeling that United want him, they’ve got the money to do it. Bale’s domestic situation is that his girlfriend and his daughter are living back in the UK, and he doesn’t speak the language.

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TalkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein sympathises with Bale's situation in Madrid but suggests he'll return to England soon enough:

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Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News believes both United and the player are interested:

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague doesn't believe Bale can excel until Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the Bernabeu: "I am pretty certain that the day Ronaldo leaves, Bale will become the star of Real Madrid. But while Ronaldo's there that's going to be hard to do."

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Bale has provided 15 goals and 10 assists in 40 matches (38 starts) across La Liga and the Champions League this season, per WhoScored.com. This output would be enough for most clubs, but in Madrid's pool of superstars, his lack of defensive effort and wastefulness on the ball isn't forgiven.

When you consider Chelsea's Eden Hazard—who was recently named PFA Player of the Year in the Premier League—has grabbed 18 goals and 10 assists in a combined total of 43 starts, per WhoScored.com, criticism of Bale's productivity seems exaggerated.

United boss Louis van Gaal needs incision and pace in attack, so he would be wise to weigh up a move. The Red Devils have already added PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay to their squad ahead of next season, and if LvG wishes to prioritise his often-favoured 4-3-3 formation, Bale's transfer makes complete sense.

B/R UK's Thom Gibbs recently discussed which other players could join Van Gaal's squad at the end of the season:

Bale made his name in the Premier League by ripping through defences with Tottenham Hotspur. The pressure in Madrid is different, where one misplaced pass can turn the crowd's mood, especially if it's at the detriment of Ronaldo. Carlo Ancelotti's team have far bigger problems to settle than the future of Bale, though, and should start by adding balance to the side's midfield.

Continued rumours, combined with poor performances, may only leave Bale with one option during the summer. United have the funds to produce a world-record bid of over £85 million if needed, but the question remains: Do they have the ambition? Van Gaal can turn them into genuine title-chasers with a memorable spending spree.

Supporters will no doubt hang onto every word spoken about Bale at this point. United missed out on him when he moved from Spurs in 2013 and would be foolish to let him slip through their fingers again.