Gareth Bale 'wants to work under Julen Lopetegui'

Gareth Bale is reportedly keen to stay with Real Madrid this summer to work under their new manager Julen Lopetegui.

Bale issued a come-and-get-me-plea to interested clubs after scoring twice in Madrid's 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final last month.

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to spend big to land the 28-year-old this summer, having previously missed out on the Welshman when he left Tottenham Hotspur.

United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is desperate to acquire the attacker, although it has been reported that United boss Jose Mourinho does not want the bulk of the club's summer transfer budget to be spent on one player.

Zinedine Zidane's departure as head coach appears to have changed Bale's situation at the Bernabeu, however, and according to ESPN, the attacker is keen to work under new Los Blancos boss Lopetegui.

Lopetegui accepted the Madrid position last week before spectacularly losing his job as Spain boss one day later.

Bale has four years left to run on his contract at the Bernabeu, and ended the 2017-18 campaign with 21 goals in 39 appearances for his club despite struggling for starts throughout the season.