Man Utd boss Solskjaer ‘asks board to sign Gareth Bale’ after securing Bruno Fernandes transfer

GARETH BALE reportedly remains a target for Manchester United despite Bruno Fernandes being on the verge of signing.

The deal to take the Portuguese playmaker from Sporting CP is nearing completion with the club confirming the agreement of a transfer fee.

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But that reportedly has not stopped boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting his board to ask Real Madrid for Bale - also linked to Tottenham and MLS startup Inter Miami.

Veteran Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda reckons Marcus Rashford's injury is the key factor in their pursuit.

He told : "The Manchester United coach, Solskjaer, has asked the board of directors to make an effort to sign Bale.

"Rashford has been injured and they want to sign him before the market closes.

"United could pay around £40million to £50m."

The transfer fee touted by Inda would be far below the £86m Real paid for Bale back in 2013 - but is certainly higher than the free transfer to China they almost green lit in the summer.

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One key stumbling block on a return to the Premier League during that period was the winger's massive £600,000-a-week wages, a factor which certainly has not gone away.

Real pulled the plug on the China deal, which came amid a public feud between coach Zinedine Zidane and the player.

Since then, 30-year-old Bale has been a frequent fixture in the Madrid squad but injury and form issues have seen him net just three times in 15 appearances.