MANCHESTER UNITED’S potential £85million bid for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is set to be rivalled by Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande, according to reports.
The CSL champions, also the richest club in China, are keen on sensational move for the Welsh forward, who has fallen out of favour with Galacticos boss Zinedine Zidane.
Bale has been blighted by injuries and a string of sub-par performances at Los Blancos in recent seasons, with the club now willing to cash-in.
Jose Mourinho has been a long-term admirer of Bale – who started his first game since September midweek – frequently attempting to land the former Tottenham star.
This summer would appear to be the United boss’ best chance, but reports suggest Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande could bid this month.
The CSL champions are currently managed by Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro – who is keen to bolster a squad that doesn’t not include a “star name”.
A host of elite players have swapped Europe for China in recent seasons, including Carlos Tevez, Papiss Cisse, John Obi Mikel and Axel Witsel.
Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one massive name tipped with a future move to the CSL – but now Bale appears to be on the radar, too.
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has also changed his tune on Bale in recent months, suggesting he’s willing to sell the Welshman now having previously seen him as “untouchable”.
Earlier this season, Perez revealed: “Bale is a magnificent player but if the general level drops Bale also drops.
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“He and everyone had a level of intensity two years ago that they don’t have now and we have to recover that.”
Real may be looking to cash-in this January as they hope to bring in reinforcements to cut the 14-point gap to Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Zidane said on Saturday he was NOT looking to bring in too many players this month, but could be tempted to accept £85m for misfiring Bale and bring in a like-for-like replacement.
Los Blancos are currently only fourth in the Spanish top-flight – trailing Barca, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
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