Real Madrid slap £88m price tag on Manchester United target Gareth Bale

Manchester United have been warned theyll need to pay around £88million if they want to sign Real Madrid star Gareth Bale this summer.

The Welshman has been heavily linked with an exit from the Bernabeu this summer and reports in Spain on Wednesday claimed Jose Mourinho had convinced the forward to move to Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour under Zinedine Zidane but has still managed 12 goals for the club during a injury-hit campaign in the Spanish capital.

Mourinho claimed he was happy with his attacking options after the arrival of Alexis Sanchez but United are expected to entertain offers for Juan Mata and Anthony Martial this summer.

That will free up space and funds at the Theatre of Dreams but Madrid want a full return on the £87.5m they paid Tottenham for Bale in 2013 if theyre to let him go, according to AS.

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United are unlikely to meet Madrids valuation of Bale given his injury problems since moving to Spain. In the last three seasons the Welshman has managed 23, 19 and 19 [current season] league appearances as hes struggled with a long-term calf problem.

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Mourinhos priority will be signing at least one midfielder this summer to replace the retiring Michael Carrick and he may need a second if Marouane Fellaini decides against signing a new deal.

The self-proclaimed Special One also wants to add a central defender and a full-back to his squad so he might need to sell if hes to raise enough funds to get Bale.

MORE: Arsenal in talks to sign Caglar Soyuncu who dreams of working with Jose Mourinho

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