Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Gareth Bale and Ivan Perisic

Gareth Bale is reportedly set to stay at Real Madrid amid links to Manchester United despite Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane growing frustrated with the Welshman's injury record.

Spanish source Diario Gol (h/t Alex Porter of the Manchester Evening News) reported how Zidane would consider selling the brittle Bale to generate funds for other transfers: "Zidane is frustrated with Bale's injury record but knows he would still fetch a large transfer fee. And that would allow him to bring in another big star, with Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe top of the list of summer targets."

Should Bale be put on the transfer market, he would favour joining United, per The Independent (h/t Porter).

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However, the latest reports contradict previous ones, saying Bale believes he will stay with Los Merengues beyond this summer. In fact, Jack Gaughan of MailOnline reported how Bale is "not agitating for a move away from Real Madrid and is concentrating on banishing his injury woes."

Gaughan continued: "Bale, though, has no intention of departing the Bernabeu despite suggestions Manchester United's interest has again been piqued."

While Bale would surely command a massive fee after his £85.3 million switch to Real set the world transfer record in 2013, United should still consider an approach. After all, the Old Trafford club broke that record when they signed France international Paul Pogba for £89.3 million last summer, so the funds are there to put any target within United's reach.

More important, a healthy Bale would surely be a devastating force in the counter-attacking game favoured by United chief Jose Mourinho. Bale's direct pace makes him lethal on the break, while his dynamic shooting power and underrated aerial prowess mean he can be prolific in front of goal when fit.

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However, avoiding injury has been a problem for the former Tottenham Hotspur ace during his time in the Spanish capital. Bale made just 24 starts in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League combined last season, per WhoScored.com.

Yet the 27-year-old is still young enough to put his fitness woes behind him and deliver on his undoubtedly awesome talent, even if it means returning to the Premier League to do it.

A fit-again Bale could be the marquee signing Mourinho needs to revamp a sluggish United forward line.

Inter Milan Winger Ready for United Switch

United may not need to sign Bale if they can complete a deal for mooted target Ivan Perisic. And the Inter Milan winger is reportedly expecting to move to Old Trafford this summer.

Croatia international Perisic is getting ready to live in Manchester and is confident a deal will be struck between Inter and United, per Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News: "MEN Sport understands an agreement has not yet been reached between United and Inter Milan over a fee, but Perisic's camp do not believe that will prove an issue."

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Kelly also pointed out how United's place in next season's Champions League could prove crucial: "It is understood that the Croatian 'appreciates' and 'enjoys' the work of Jose Mourinho and is keen on playing in the Champions League again after a four-year absence."

As Kelly noted, Perisic's arrival would give Mourinho's squad a dangerous new weapon on the counter-attack.

It's true the 28-year-old is useful on the break, thanks largely to the anticipation and timing of his runs forward. Yet there is also a variety to his movement that makes Perisic difficult for markers to track in the final third.

Although he can play on either flank and is often deployed on the right, Perisic is at his most dangerous when ghosting off the wing to make perceptive runs between two centre-backs. This combination of clever running and an impressive work rate made Perisic effective at Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Inter.

He netted 11 goals and supplied eight assists in Serie A during the 2016/17 season, according to WhoScored.com. It's no wonder United are so keen.

However, settling on a fee hasn't been easy. Inter have been holding out for £44 million after knocking back United's initial bid, worth £36 million, per Sky in Italy (h/t Sky Sports).

Interest in Perisic and Bale shows United are serious about upgrading their attacking options out wide ahead of next season. It also indicates Mourinho is determined to build a side most effective at absorbing pressure and striking on the break.