Manchester United 'to make £100m bid for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale'

Manchester United are reportedly planning a £100m bid to sign Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale during the January transfer window.

United are understood to have held a long-standing interest in the winger and have been linked with a big-money move to bring him back to England on numerous occasions in the past - including during the summer transfer window.

Bale ultimately stayed at the Bernabeu in order to help fill the void of the departed Cristiano Ronaldo, but the club's hierarchy are reportedly unhappy with his form and recurring injury problems.

Madrid are keen to sell the Wales international - possibly as soon as January - and would prefer to strike a deal with Chelsea which could see Eden Hazard move in the opposite direction.

However, Diario Gol reports that United are hoping to muscle in on any agreement with their Premier League rivals by offering £100m for the 29-year-old.

Bale has scored four goals and set up four more in 13 appearances across all competitions for Madrid this season.