Man Utd Transfer News: £60 Million Gareth Bale Bid?

Huffington Post. Despite putting in bids for Everton's Leighton Baines and Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, United are yet to strengthen their squad under the reign of new manager David Moyes. However, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has flown back to England four days ahead of schedule and the Premier League champions have now made a firm offer for the double PFA Player of the Year winner. United have a long-standing interest in Bale and almost signed him during his Southampton days in 2007, but the Welsh international opted for a move to White Hart Lane instead, concerned that he would struggle for appearances at Old Trafford. Regarded as a left-back at the time, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs were established on the left-wing while Nani had just arrived from Sporting Lisbon, and so Bale felt he would be unneeded at the club. Since then, goals - and awards, have flown in and the 23-year-old is one of Europe's hottest prospects, with Real Madrid maintaining an interest in the attacker. But according to Woodward - the successor of David Gill - United can compete with the likes of Madrid because they have "unlimited funds" to buy a "stellar player" this transfer window. Moyes has admitted the club need two central midfielders, but the worrying form of the club's three wingers last season, Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, has seen both Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo linked with Old Trafford.