MARCA reported exclusively on 26th December that Real Madrid had absolutely no intention of selling Gareth Bale and that not a single club had made an official approach for the Welshman. Yesterday [Monday], Florentino Pérez, who has headed up Los Blancos' trip to Dubai, confirmed the news: "We haven't received an offer from Manchester United or from any other club for Bale".

The Real Madrid president also said that that a lack of offers was not due to a lack of interest, but instead was because Europe's heavyweight clubs know that Bale is not for sale: "We haven't received any offers for one simple reason: every club knows that Gareth Bale will never leave Real Madrid and that the club will not discuss their star, no matter how much is offered".

Bale has stepped up in every big game he has played in. His goals in the Valencia and Lisbon finals are already part of Real Madrid folklore and, at just 25 years old, he still has plenty of room for improvement. Florentino is convinced that Real Madrid's future will be built around players like the Welshman: "Bale is a key player", said the president, who added: "He has already done so much for the team and is a key part of our club's future".

Bale's place at Real Madrid is guaranteed. Of that Florentino is 100% sure: "Just as I can't imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano, I can't imagine Real Madrid without Bale, either".