Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Gareth Bale, Saido Berahino Rumours

Manchester United offered Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett £14.2 million to get him to convince the Real Madrid superstar to leave the Bernabeu and return to the Premier League with the Red Devils, according to Spanish publication AS (h/t Sean Kearns of Metro).

The outlet reported United wanted Barnett to broker the deal last summer, after Bale had rejected the Old Trafford giants' advances in 2013. 

AS said Barnett "was desperately trying to convince the winger to make the move," and United could reignite their interest in Bale at the end of the season. 

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Bale chose Los Blancos over United when he departed Tottenham Hotspur for a Spanish adventure, immediately winning the club's La Decima Champions League title against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid. 

However, Real suffered a season without trophies last term, leading to the dismissal of former boss Carlo Ancelotti, and placing a question mark over the heads of every Galactico in the squad. 

Madrid fell six points behind Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title on Saturday night as they were dismantled and humbled by the treble winners, losing 4-0 at home to the Blaugrana as Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make an impact. 

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New coach Rafael Benitez could now be sacked for failing to successfully apply Bale and CR7, according to Sky Sports' Guillem Balague, who added the Galactico model will have to change for Madrid to recover:

"

This is a problem for Real Madrid that will not change unless the whole idea and whole philosophy changes.

The business plan is brilliant - they're very, very rich. The football plan is very poor, and under Florentino Perez they have won one league in seven years, which suggests that his idea of putting big names on the pitch does not work.

"

If Balague is correct, Bale could be one of the first casualties, as United make a concerted effort to add world-class players to their burgeoning squad. 

However, Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t the Daily Star's Marc Williams) said United will face competition from Bayern Munich for Bale as they search for Arjen Robben's long-term successor. 

The Welshman has failed to record the amazing statistics Ronaldo regularly delivers, leaving doubt as to whether he is fit to step into his shoes when the day comes for CR7 to exit Real. 

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Bale has scored only twice in La Liga and the Champions League this season, according to WhoScored.com, and this lack of influence could tempt president Florentino Perez to do business if he opts for full scale changes at the Spanish club. 

However, United may yet move for Bale's team-mate in the Madrid attack after coach Louis van Gaal admitted his interest in Ronaldo, per the Sun: “We are looking at all players, not just Ronaldo. But these players are mostly ungettable. With Ronaldo, let’s wait and hope. There is no trainer in the world that doesn’t like him.”

As LvG rebuilds the United squad in his own image, and with the Red Devils now ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race, all that is missing is a global superstar who can take the team to the next level.

United Consider Berahino January Swoop

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Van Gaal will look to ease his strain in attack with the capture of Saido Berahino in the January transfer window, as reported by the Sun. 

The newspaper said the coach is "planning" a £25 million offer for the controversial West Bromwich Albion striker as he is "desperate for firepower."

The 22-year-old was angered when a proposed moved to Spurs collapsed in the previous transfer window, per the Sun, but would surely be tempted with a switch to Old Trafford to add competition to Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney's starting roles. 

Berahino has failed to recapture the form of recent years, scoring three goals in 11 appearances in the Premier League this term, according to Squawka.com.

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There is no doubting the England under-21 international has the ability to play at a higher level, but whether he has the temperament is questionable. 

United appeared desperate for striking options, but Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard's attacking performances against Watford on Saturday proved LvG has a pair of aces up his sleeve.

Memphis has failed on the left wing for United, but could recreate himself as a centre-forward if the manager brings in a wide attacker of Bale's quality. 

Berahino does not have the potential of Martial, but his skill set is similar to Lingard. However, at £25 million he appears overpriced, and United could look to the continent for cheaper options.