Report: Chelsea fail in £100m bid for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale

Chelsea have reportedly been knocked back by Real Madrid after offering £100m for Gareth Bale.

The Wales international has been linked with a possible return to the Premier League, just 15 months after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in a world record £85m transfer to the Bernabeu.

Manchester United have been touted as a possible destination, with reports claiming that the Spanish giants want goalkeeper David de Gea as part of the deal.

It is believed that United are also preparing a £100m offer, but their rivals Chelsea have already been dismissed after lodging the bid last week, according to The Express.

Bale, whose buyout clause is reportedly set at £786m, scored the winning goal in Madrid's Copa del Rey triumph and also netted in the club's historic Champions League final win during his first season at the Bernabeu.