Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Linked in Latest January Rumours

Manchester United will reportedly make a move for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale in the January transfer window.

According to Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express, Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho wants to improve his attacking options midseason, and the club is ready to intensify its efforts to get the Welshman in.

"The Spanish giants are ready to offload the 28-year-old after growing tired of the amount of time that he has spent on the treatment table in the last two seasons," Fissler noted. "...And it has given United some hope that they might be able to push through an unlikely deal for Bale before the winter transfer window closes at the end of this month."

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Fissler also reported that Madrid president Florentino Perez may consider making a big-money move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, with the amount brought in by Bale's sale helping to bankroll that move.

Additionally, Fissler reported that Tottenham Hotspur, the Welshman's former club, have three days to match any United offer that Los Blancos accept.

Bale has endured another frustrating campaign, with injury issues limiting the amount of time he's been able to get out on the field. As B/R Football relayed prior to his recent return to the side, the winger has missed a lot of football:

The frustrating thing for Bale and Madridistas is that when he is available, the Real No. 11 makes a big difference.

While there is class aplenty for manager Zinedine Zidane to call upon, Bale adds a different dimension to Los Blancos' attacks. He surges forward with the ball, brings team-mates into the game and makes vital contributions in the final third.

Per OptaJose, as of late, Bale has been making his mark when on the pitch:

Still, Bale has only started four games in La Liga this season, and with that in mind, a substantial offer may be enough to make Madrid consider a sale.

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United are arguably one of the only clubs with the pulling power and financial might to prise the Welshman away from the Spanish capital. And the prospect of a fresh start for the 28-year-old, having accomplished so much at the Santiago Bernabeu, may be appealing.

Bale has proved he can be a force of nature in the Premier League too. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News suggested the Red Devils lack that type of figure up top:

It does feel like a critical point in Bale's Real Madrid career, especially given the team played some wonderful football without him in the side last season. Should he continue to be sidelined, the likes of Isco and Marco Asensio have the talent to permanently push ahead of him in the pecking order.

For United, Bale would represent both an exciting signing and a major gamble. Nevertheless, it would be a huge surprise if we were to see any development on the winger's future in the January transfer window.