Chelsea to rival Manchester United for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale next summer
The 28-year-old has long been a target of the Red Devils, however Antonio Conte is looking to lure him away from the Bernabeu Stadium
CHELSEA are ready to rival Manchester United for the signing of Gareth Bale next summer, according to reports.
The 28-year-old has been continuously linked with a move away from Real Madrid this transfer window, as the La Liga side monitor the progress of Monaca ace Kylian Mbappe.
According to the Express, the Blues have emerged as serious contenders in the hunt to sign the Welsh wizard.
The report states that Madrid president Florentino Perez values the winger at a modest £90million - £5m more they paid Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.
The bulk of the money they would receive would then be used to lure away Mbappe from the Ligue 1 champions, who is desperate for a move to link up with Zinedine Zidane's esteemed side.
Barcelona have reportedly 'held talks' with the 18-year-old over a switch to the Nou Camp, but he has his heart set to join Los Blancos, despite being offered a new contract by Monaco.
The potential deal means that Bale's place in the Madrid starting 11 will be in jeopardy, with a return to the Premier League a seemingly inevitability.
Karim Benzema is set to be offered a new contract to extend his love affair with the side, leaving the former Southampton man as the odd one out.
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Antonio Conte has been keeping tabs on his situation all summer, and is quietly confident a deal can be reached - especially considering their good relations with Real after they bought Alvaro Morata for £62m.
While the club also has respect for former boss Jose Mourinho - who joked with Bale when the two sides faced each other in America that he can't buy him, because he doesn't talk to him.
It was reported yesterday that Zidane would shelve plans to sign Mbappe this summer, telling Bale he is the future of the club.
Putting an end to his fears that he will be sold to make may for the French international.
He has been plagued by injuries since arriving in Spain, recently limping out of a training session as Madrid gear up to face United in the UEFA Super Cup.
Perez could be tempted to cut losses on Bale, as he has cost them a staggering £1.8MILLION per goal, and £830,000 a game.
As he enters his fifth season with Real, he is looking to build on his 67 goals, as well as three Champions League crowns and one La Liga title.
