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Manchester United are set to raid Real Madrid once the world record transfer of Tottenham’s Gareth Bale to the Bernabeu officially goes through.

Although Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is still Reds boss David Moyes’ No.1 target, Real’s Luka Modric is also on his wanted list, along with team-mate Mesut Ozil.

Madrid are likely to off-load players once they sign Bale in what is expected to be a deal worth more than £100m.

There has been a late fly in the ointment with Real midfielder Xabi Alonso breaking a metatarsal this week in training, meaning he faces up to three months out.

But Bale’s arrival will still raise doubts over the future of Modric and/or Ozil – and both tick the boxes for a United midfield urgently in need of a playmaker.

If the Reds go back for Fellaini and are successful after having their initial £28m joint bid for the Belgian and left-back Leighton Baines turned down, they are still expected to pursue another new face for the engine room.

Moyes eyeing up middle class

Chelsea, meanwhile, will make a third bid for Wayne Rooney, but not until after Monday’s clash with United at Old Trafford.

Boss Jose Mourinho has already had two bids turned down for the striker, who the Reds insist are not for sale.

“I don’t want Chelsea to do it before we go there,” said Mourinho.

“Everybody in the club agrees. They share that opinion. I think this period, by the ethical point of view, is a period where we’re going to be quiet.”