- Manchester United look a step closer to signing Gareth Bale
- Real Madrid have reportedly identified Suso as his replacement
- This surely frees up United to follow through with their interest in Bale
- READ MORE: ‘Alexis 7’ Manchester United shirts appear in Adidas store in London as Arsenal star’s transfer looms
Manchester United may have moved a step closer to signing Real Madrid star Gareth Bale as reports in Spain claim the club have found his replacement.
Don Balon report that Los Blancos have set their sights on a deal for AC Milan winger Suso, formerly of Liverpool, to come in and replace Bale next season.
The Welshman has been the subject of much speculation linking him with a move away from the Bernabeu this season after a loss of form and some bad luck with injuries.
However, he still retains big admirers in the Premier League from his time as a Tottenham player and has been linked with a big-money move to either United or Chelsea.
Reports yesterday, also from Don Balon, claimed Bale had held talks with United and suggested an agreement was close after weeks of negotiations.
This comes as United also look set to revamp their attack with the signing of Alexis Sanchez, but Bale could be another useful addition at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old’s pace and direct play makes him a perfect fit in Jose Mourinho’s side, with the Portuguese known to have been frustrated at his club’s failure to sign a similar player in Ivan Perisic last summer.
While Sanchez’s move looks set to be announced imminently, the Chile international is not an out-and-out wide-player in the same mould as Bale and could fill a variety of roles, including playing as a central striker.
The signing of Suso would surely spell the end of Bale at Real, with Manchester looking his likeliest destination.