Stewart Robson: Gareth Bale's time at Real Madrid is limited
Express Sport understands Bale could leave Real Madrid this summer, with Los Blancos willing to let him go to raise funds for Monaco hitman Kylian Mbappe.
Manchester United are among the frontrunners for his signature with interest from Old Trafford chiefs dating back to his days in the Southampton youth academy.
A year ago, shortly after Real won the Champions League, the thought of Gareth Bale leaving seemed far-fetched.
But 12 months down the line the Wales international is no longer a guaranteed starter, with Isco replacing him in Zinedine Zidane's starting line-up towards the latter end of last season.
Manchester United are confident they can lure Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale to Old Trafford
And Spanish outlet Don Balon says Mourinho feels he can get a deal done for less than £90m.
There was originally a feeling that United would submit a bid of that size next summer but, given recent developments, it appears the situation has changed.
Real president Florentino Perez has long supported Bale but reportedly no longer feels he is up to the challenge of one day replacing Cristiano Ronaldo as the club's main man.
As a result, they are happy to cash in on him, and have supposedly told the former Tottenham star that he will be the fall guy should Mbappe arrive.
Ronaldo, despite his pre-season threats to leave, will be staying put and Zidane is unwilling to lose Karim Benzema.
GETTY
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is confident of signing Real Madrid star Gareth Bale
GETTY
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is set to leave, with Manchester United keen to sign him
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Mourinho now feels he can get a deal done below the £90m figure but is willing to offer that should Madrid demand it.
Don Balon also claim that Real are likely to accept a bid from the Red Devils given their determination to get Bale off the books.
Speaking last month, Jose Mourinho dismissed the prospect of bringing Bale to Old Trafford.
"I think it was clear that Bale likes Madrid, the challenge, the situation, he’s in a club in a very good situation now," he said.
"I never felt a desire from him to leave, so why lose time and energy on that?"
