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Manchester United ready to pay £122m for Gareth Bale but Bayern and another Premier League club are interested

Red Devils are prepared to break the British transfer record to lure the Welshman to Old Trafford after four Champions League titles in five seasons at Real Madrid

MANCHESTER UNITED are prepared to pay £122million to bring Gareth Bale back to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Welshman opened the door to potential offers following Real Madrid's Champions League win on Saturday.

 Gareth Bale looks to be on the way out of Real Madrid after his match-winning goals in the Champions League final
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Gareth Bale looks to be on the way out of Real Madrid after his match-winning goals in the Champions League finalCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for a world record fee in 2013
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Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for a world record fee in 2013Credit: AFP or licensors
 Bale last faced Manchester United in the Super Cup last August
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Bale last faced Manchester United in the Super Cup last AugustCredit: Reuters

Bale, 28, came off the bench to score a sensational overhead kick and a speculative long-range effort spilled by Loris Karius as Real clinched a 13th European Cup.

But after the game, Bale said he needs to be playing regular football, which has not been the case this season at the Bernabeu, and will sit down with his agent to discuss his future.

And United look to be the frontrunners in capturing the Welshman as they look to sign a winger, according to .

The Old Trafford club would pay Real Madrid £122million, which would shatter the current British record of £89million United paid for Paul Pogba in 2016, and Bale would receive a net salary of £26.2million, triple what he earns at Real Madrid, it is reported.

 A return to Tottenham might be off the cards if the Welshman is not prepared to take a pay cut
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A return to Tottenham might be off the cards if the Welshman is not prepared to take a pay cutCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
 Bale could provide some fresh blood at Bayern Munich with Franck Ribery, left, 35 and Arjen Robben 34
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Bale could provide some fresh blood at Bayern Munich with Franck Ribery, left, 35 and Arjen Robben 34Credit: AFP OR LICENSORS

That high salary demand could put off a potential return to Tottenham, who are also reported to be interested in Bale's signature.

Bale left White Hart Lane for a then-world record fee of £85million in 2013 but the chance to go back to north London may be on the cards if the winger is prepared to take a pay cut.

Bayern Munich also want to take Bale and will hope his signature could help them to a first Champions League since 2013.


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But there are concerns that the German club will not be able to pay Real Madrid's asking price.

Bayern spent a Bundesliga record €41.5 million to bring Corentin Tolisso to the Allianz Arena last summer but would have to treble that record to have any chance of capturing Bale.

SunSport's chief sports writer Dave Kidd, though, believes the Welshman should park his ego and take a pay cut to fulfil his dreams.

Rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo could also be leaving Real Madrid were fuelled yesterday when their new kit launch omitted the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Ronaldo out as Real Madrid launch new kit for 2018/19
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