Manchester United have reportedly spoken to Real Madrid over the availability of Gareth Bale and Raphaël Varane, according to COPE journalist Arancha Rodríguez.

French defender Varane has long interested United. They were close to signing him when he left Lens for Madrid,and his speed and awareness would be of great benefit to United’s back line.

Welshman Bale has also long been linked with a move to Old Trafford from Southampton, Tottenham and now the Bernabeu. This transfer in particular has already been drawn out through the last few months. First, rumours surfaced of him being bullied by teammates who wouldn’t pass to him enough, then it was claimed a fortnight ago that it was “almost a done deal”.

Any chance of an immediate transfer involving Bale or Varane is almost certainly out of the question now that Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as manager of the Spanish club. The new manager, most likely Rafa Benitez, will want time to asses his players before making any decisions on players going in-or-out of the club.

Bale has long been seen as Ryan Giggs heir at Old Trafford and his powerful running would bring back memories of a young Giggs the fans.

He’d be the exciting signing from Real Madrid everyone believed Di Maria would be; his speed, technique and goals would make an instant impact at the club and he’d no doubt become a fans favourite.

Sadly, The Independent has reported that Benitez would make Bale, and not Cristiano Ronaldo, his main man at Madrid. This isn’t entirely surprising given Benitez’s familiarity with the English game and the fact that Ronaldo, despite his phenomenal record, is entering the later years of his career.

Benitez would surely want to keep hold of Varane as the long term option for the centre-back position.Sergio Ramos is still only 29, despite having been playing at the highest level for over a decade, but his regular partner Pepe is now 32.

Bale and Varane would both be fantastic additions to Van Gaal’s United squad but there is no motivation for Real to sell, besides potentially a swap involving David de Gea.

Even if United are powerless to stop De Gea joining Madrid, they are in a strong position to negotiate a deal whereby a player comes in the opposite direction.