Manchester United are preparing to table a £75 million bid for Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale, according to the Mirror. Louis van Gaal's side are reportedly hoping that the recent axing of Rafael Benitez is a change of circumstances tempting enough to lure Bale away from the Bernabeu. However, new Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has publicly stated that the Welshman is not for sale. There's little doubt that the Red Devils are in need of a new attacking spark, having suffered numerous accusations of boring play from supporters and pundits alike. Even kit manufacturers Adidas have recently commented on van Gaal's footballing philosophy, a spokesperson telling Suddeutsche Zeitung 'We are satisfied, even if the actual way of playing of United is not exactly what we want to see' (via BBC). A move would clearly be a huge coup for United, whose marquee summer signing Memphis Depay has struggled immensely in his debut Premier League season. Despite immense fan pressure, Bale has impressed in the Spanish capital, notching 37 league goals in 71 appearances - as well as the winners in the 2014 Champions League and Copa Del Ray finals. The Red Devils currently sit in fifth, nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
