Premier League champions Manchester United is reportedly making a £60 million bid for a positive Gareth Bale transfer from Tottenham Hotspur and is prepared to smash their £30.8 million transfer record to prise him away from White Hart Lane.
Keen to put the damaging publicity surrounding the future of Wayne Rooney behind them, the Old Trafford giants want Bale to be the first major signing of new manager David Moyes' reign, although Spurs is desperate not to lose Bale and have so far resisted United's approach, the Mirror reports.
According to the report, the move for the Welsh star is thought to be one of the reasons why United's vice chairman Ed Woodward is returning early from their pre-season tour of the Asia-Pacific, adding that the club is aware that buying Bale, who has also been linked with Real Madrid, would give Moyes, his players and the fans a huge boost.
The report further said that Bale's probable arrival, along with continued interest in Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas and at least one other high-profile signing, would soften the blow of Rooney's expected move to Chelsea.
United have been quiet in the transfer market so far this summer, but sources close to the club say that is about to change with Bale's bid and a continuing speculation about a mega-bid to bring former favourite Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford from Real Madrid.
United is desperate to ensure that they give Moyes complete backing as he attempts to carry on the phenomenal success his predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson delivered, the report added.
Image: Gareth Bale
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
