Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Unhappy, Angel Di Maria Rumours

Manchester United are preparing to get rid of Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie in order to sign Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, according to David McDonnell of the Mirror.

Both players reportedly earn £250,000 per week at Old Trafford, and their leaving would help fund a massive chunk of potentially the summer's biggest transfer. McDonnell reports Paris Saint-Germain are "wanting to pay in the region" of £45 million for Di Maria, while United "will listen to offers" for Van Persie, who is out of contract at the end of next season.

John Cross of the Mirror believes Bale is "frustrated" by his positioning on the wing in Spain, writing:

"

Bale has privately let it be known that his biggest ­frustration of all is being played out of position, and he insists that Real are not getting the best out of him.

[...] The Wales [international] does not feel he is involved in games as much as he would like while playing wide and is desperate to get back to the sort of form which made him such a success in his first season in Madrid.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

United "have received sufficient encouragement to move for Bale," according to McDonnell, who believes Real would accept a bid around the £80 million mark. Many of Friday's newspapers in England carry the story, reported by Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4:

Bale was subjected to more jeers from Madrid fans during Los Blancos' Champions League semi-final second-leg draw with Juventus on Wednesday, a result that saw them eliminated 3-2 on aggregate. The Welshman received plenty of opportunities to impact upon the scoreline, getting himself into good positions, but he was unable to influence the result. Squawka summed up Bale's performance:

Cross believes Bale "is determined not to give up on his Spanish adventure—although the decision would be out of his hands if the club's top brass make up their minds to sell him."

During a conference call to club investors on Thursday, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward confirmed United will be active in the summer transfer market after already signing PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay, reported by Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

Despite being under constant pressure to perform this season, Bale has notched 15 goals and 10 assists across 40 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, per WhoScored.com. He was a match-winner last year—scoring vital goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals—but has struggled mark himself as essential this campaign.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

United have lacked speed up top this season, but when they have played well, they have utilised the wings brilliantly. Bale's powerful running style is proven in the Premier League and could provide an exciting burst of energy opposite Depay. Cross even suggests the player wishes to play as a striker, something that could be viable alongside Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

B/R UK's Matteo Bonetti indicates that with the right signings, United could challenge for the Premier League title next season:

Bale's Madrid career continues to stutter, and with the club's Champions League elimination confirmed, everyone at the Bernabeu will likely be assessing exactly what went wrong. Los Blancos possess the squad to dominate any team, but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has failed to find the right balance. As such, Bale has struggled to understand exactly what his responsibilities are in the side.

United manager Louis van Gaal could make things a lot simpler for him in England, where he seems destined to return.