Bale to Manchester United is a story refusing to go away despite Real Madrid always insisting their star asset was not for sale.

The Wales international has found himself on the sidelines more than the pitch, with injuries ruining his Bernabeu career so far.

As a result, Los Blancos may offload him at the end of the season with PSG forward Neymar their chief transfer target for the foreseeable future.

And Spanish outlet Don Balon say the Red Devils are now willing to sell De Gea if it means Bale makes the move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s interest in the Wales forward dates back to his time as a youngster at Southampton.

Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him but, much to his annoyance, Bale ended up moving to Tottenham instead.

Speaking in 2013, the Scot said: “We were disappointed in Southampton at the time because we were first there, but they never came back to us.

“It was not the boy who turned us down, it was Southampton, then a few weeks later he signed for Tottenham Hotspur.

“He (Bale) was a left-back when we tried to sign him. It wasn’t until Harry (Redknapp) went to Tottenham that he converted him into a wide left player.”

Don Balon say United value Bale at £70million and think a swap deal involving De Gea would be fair for both parties.

But, should the Red Devils not get their way and De Gea stays, then Real have two alternatives lined up.

One of those is Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois, who spent three years on loan at city rivals Atletico Madrid.

And the other is Athletic Bilbao shotstopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.