Manchester United were determined to sign Atletico Madrid hitman Antoine Griezmann.
But the France international now looks set to stay with the La Liga giants after they failed to have their transfer ban overturned.
After an infuriating first Premier League season under Jose Mourinho, the Red Devils are expected to take the transfer window by storm.
They managed to lure Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly to Old Trafford a year ago despite having no Champions League football to offer.
And now they have a place in next season’s competition booked, Mourinho is eying a huge summer spending spree.
Bale has long been linked with a move to United, with the Red Devils unsuccessfully trying to buy him during his days at Southampton and Tottenham.
And the Manchester Evening News claim that the Red Devils are seriously considering whether to bring the Wales international back to the Premier League.
Mourinho wants a winger capable of operating on either flanks and Bale would fit the bill.
It is said that United could even launch a bid worth £100million to lure the player to Old Trafford, and his superstar profile would no doubt appeal to the club’s owners, the Glazer family.
The 27-year-old’s future in Spain is shrouded in uncertainty after an injury-plagued season where he managed just nine goals from 26 appearances.
Bale was benched as Real beat Juventus 4-1 to win the Champions League last night, with Isco preferred in his place.
And that snub, coupled with Isco’s outstanding form, could mean the forward end up at United next season.
