Ryan Giggs has had his say on Manchester United’s chances of signing Gareth Bale.
Bale is occasionally linked with a move from Real Madrid to United, for what would most likely be a world record fee.
The Premier League club also attempted to sign him when he left Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.
David Moyes, the then-United manager, confirmed United pushed to sign Bale, and even offered him a larger financial deal, but the Wales forward was determined to join Madrid.
“When I first went in to United my real target was Gareth Bale,” said the Sunderland manager.
“I felt all along that Gareth Bale was a Manchester United player and I fought to get him [from Tottenham] right up until the last minute.
“We actually offered him a bigger deal than Real Madrid but Gareth had his mind made up on going to Madrid. He was, though, in my mind, the player I really wanted.
Bale had a difficult start at Madrid, as some sections of the Bernabeu booed him and he appeared to be getting on Cristiano Ronaldo’s nerves. However, he signed a new contract last year, which expires in 2022, and is now an integral part of Zinedine Zidane’s team.
The former Spurs and Southampton player, who has won two Champions League trophies in three seasons with Madrid, scored on his return from injury last weekend.
Bale appears settled in Spain, and his former Wales teammate Giggs expects him to remain with Madrid for the foreseeable future.
“He looks happy at Real Madrid. I don’t think he’s going anywhere at the moment,” Giggs told the BBC.
“From a fan’s point of view, it would be great to see him back in the Premier League.
“The United fans would love to see him at Old Trafford. You talk about the big clubs and United is up there.
“While he’s happy there [Madrid], I can’t see him leaving.”
United showed last summer with their world record transfer for Paul Pogba that they can compete for any player in the transfer market, but signing Bale appears to be beyond them.
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