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Bale Could Be Encouraged to Join Man United If He's Benched in UCL Final
If Gareth Bale doesn't start Saturday's Champions League final, Manchester United may feel encouraged they can sign the Real Madrid star
May 30th, 2017 | 09:21 AM | 1101 views
UNITED KINGDOM
Manchester United's potentially huge summer spending could get even bigger if Gareth Bale fails to start the Champions League final for Real Madrid, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Barcelona-based outlet reports that United could be encouraged to bid for Bale if he starts the final from the bench after telling manager Zinedine Zidane he is fit and ready to play against Juventus.
Injury problems have seen him play an intermittent role at times this season, with Isco -- who has played in his place -- potentially starting in Cardiff despite Wales international Bale coming through training unscathed.
And if that happens, it might just give United belief that Bale could be tempted to return to the Premier League.
Although United remain hopeful of signing Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, the difference between the clubs' valuations means they could look elsewhere, the Independent reports.
United are said to have "a verbal agreement" with the Croatia international, but hopes of a deal "could be scuppered due to Inter's €50 million asking price."
The English giants are willing to pay closer to €35m, and Jose Mourinho will move for his former charge Willian if the difference cannot be resolved.
Although United "have made an initial approach," Willian has said he is not keen to leave "despite Chelsea being understood to have been willing to do a deal."
But the Independent writes that Perisic "wants to go to Old Trafford," with talks over terms having been held -- and his arrival could mean United are more willing to listen to any offers for Anthony Martial.
Meanwhile, on the defensive front, the Mirror reports that United "are favourites" to sign Tottenham defender Danny Rose.
Talking of big spending and Manchester, there is more to come from Manchester City, who will follow up the signing of Bernardo Silva and the impending arrival of goalkeeper Ederson with an overhaul of the back line, the Independent reports.
It writes that Pep Guardiola will step up his pursuit of Spurs right-back Kyle Walker, Monaco left-back Bernard Mendy and either Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos or Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao.
The City coach has become "frustrated with how long it has taken some players to fully grasp his ideas" and wants "a total overhaul" of his defence, the English outlet adds.
City have yet to submit a formal bid for Walker, but the report states that they will do so after signing Mendy and will then focus on a new central defender.
Either Laporte -- linked with a move to City last year -- or Marquinhos is likely to cost more than £50m.
-- The injury suffered by Marco Reus is bad news for Liverpool too, according to the Mirror. It reports that Borussia Dortmund's Reus, sidelined for six months after a partial cruciate knee ligament tear in the DFB Pokal final victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, had been a major target for his old boss Jurgen Klopp as he looks to strengthen his squad for the Champions League.
-- Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with Angers striker Famara Diedhiou despite the managerial uncertainty at the club. The Birmingham Mail, citing French publication L'Equipe, reports that the 24-year-old is also of interest to Fulham and Bristol City.
Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC
by CHRIS BORG
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