ESPN Pundit does not fancy Gareth Bale joining Manchester United

ESPN Pundit Shaka Hislop does not believe Manchester United will succeed in signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid this summer. The Wales international has been linked with both United and Bayern Munich since the start of the transfer window and Hislop feels the attacker would join the latter if he was to choose.

Speaking on the ESPN FC show, he said: “We’ve been talking about this for, not just this summer, but for the last two or three summers in all honesty. I’m going to put this down as a miss.Not because I don’t think Gareth Bale would be a great fit at Manchester United, and Manchester United are desperate to get him.But I think Bale was linked with Bayern Munich a couple of months ago, I think that’s more likely of the two destinations. So as a result, I’m going to put that down as a miss.”

United boss Jose Mourinho had fondly spoken about the Welshman in the past but considering the club’s needs for the summer, the Portuguese could be denied the opportunity to pursue the 28-year-old. Mourinho bolstered the club’s attack front midway through last season with the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in a swap deal but the player’s hefty £ 500,000-a-week wages certainly don’t make him a bargain price.

Hence, United may have to bypass the signing of Bale, who could yet stay put with Los Blancos. At the end of the Champions League final, Bale hinted that he could move on after restricted gametime under Zinedine Zidane but the latter’s exit thereafter may change his situation completely. The European champions are yet to appoint a new head coach but judging by recent reports, Bale could remain at the Bernabeu, provided he is guaranteed to become a regular starter once more.