Rohan Sengupta
Gareth Bale has come to an agreement with club president Florentino Perez to leave Real Madrid next summer. The Wales international has endured an injury-hit 2017/18 campaign, missing 14 of Real’s 22 fixtures in all competitions so far. And the fitness problems have caused a serious concern among club staffs, making them give up on the player.
The latest reports from Spain claim a move back to England from Real has been decided as the best course of action. According to Spanish outlet Diario Gol, Bale and Real chief Florentino Perez have reached a pact, deciding that Bale can leave next summer. Both parties believe that it is the best for the player.
United will be the favourites to sign the Welshman. They have twice failed with attempts to lure Bale and originally outbid Real Madrid when Tottenham decided to sell, only for the player to opt for a move to Spain.
United manager Jose Mourinho, ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash in August, revealed that he would be in for the player should he become available. Post the 2-1 UEFA Super Cup defeat, Mourinho claimed it was ‘game over’ after Bale started the game.
However, United have not ended their interest in the Wales international and remain in the market for a winger. Chelsea have also shown considerable interest in Bale, while Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is a confirmed admirer of the former White Hart Lane favourite. But United remain as front-runners to sign him.
Meanwhile, United are also reportedly eyeing to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. The Express reports that Mourinho is readying a club record bid for the Serbian international. The Portuguese has had his scouts checking out the Lazio midfielder and has now decided to bring him to Old Trafford next summer.
Mourinho is preparing a £95m bid to sign him ahead of Juventus and local rivals Manchester City. With Marouane Fellaini out of contract in the summer, Mourinho needs a replacement. Milinkovic- Savic fits the bill perfectly.
The midfielder is aggressive, strong, is good in the air and has the ability to run with the ball. The Serbian is rated highly and is now one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
