Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Louis van Gaal should pursue Gareth Bale if David de Gea is to join Real Madrid in the summer.
Current number one de Gea has been repeatedly linked to a return to Spain, and with his family and girlfriend struggling to manage time in both Manchester and Madrid, he could opt for a move to Real Madrid. After reports suggest he turned down a £200k-a-week contract from the Red Devils, and van Gaal’s latest comments, a move could well be on the cards for the 24-year-old.
And should a transfer develop, footballer-turned-pundit Neville believes his old club should sign Bale, who has struggled somewhat in his second season since joining from Tottenham Hotspur. He has now urged the club to test Real Madrid’s resolve with a move for Bale, should a former offer be placed for de Gea.
The Spanish international is now approaching the final year of his contract, and the form of Iker Casillas has sparked fresh fears of a replacement, while van Gaal fears his current goalkeeper will face a difficult decision over his future at the Theatre of Dreams.
Bale has also been linked to a return to England, and has been suggested as a target for Manchester United ever since his move to Los Galacticos. Neville feels this is the perfect time to make an approach for the Welsh forward, saying: “Real Madrid are particularly aggressive.”
“They have been previously and once a player only has a year left on his contract Manchester United have a decision to make if Real do come for him, as it looks like they will.
“Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will all want Gareth Bale. So if you are going to give Real a player I think it would make sense to try and get Bale and steal him in return for de Gea.”
Despite comments from van Gaal saying he will no longer attempt to persuade the goalkeeper, Neville believes the club should be doing everything possible to retain his services, although he feels the 24-year-old has already decided on his future.
“You saw the fans, they were singing his name,” he added following a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the last home game of the season. They are singing his name in appreciation of the season he’s had.
“He’s been Manchester United’s player of the season and they’ll be saying, ‘please stay’. With his form this season I was always hopeful he’d stay but with the wave of noise in the press it just looked to have an inevitability about it.”
David de Gea’s season may have ended early though, after sustaining a hamstring injury against Arsenal.
