Gareth Bale's Real Madrid future has been questioned in recent days

Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has told Sky Sports News that reports linking him with a move away from Real Madrid are "ridiculous" and "stupid".

Speculation linking the Welsh star with a move to Manchester United intensified this week after Zinedine Zidane refused to guarantee none of Bale, Karim Benzema or Cristiano Ronaldo would be sold this summer.

The Real Madrid manager told journalists on Thursday: "I want everyone who is here now to stay but anything can happen right up until 31 August."

Real have raised around £100m from players - including Alvaro Morata and Danilo - leaving the club during the current transfer window.

Gareth Bale shrugs off Jose Mourinho's comments ruling out a move for him Gareth Bale shrugs off Jose Mourinho's comments ruling out a move for him

The 12-time European Cup winners have signed talented youngsters Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos this summer but they continue to be linked with a potential world-record move for Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe.

Jose Mourinho has been vocal in his desire to add two more players to his United squad this summer - a midfielder and a wide player.

Bale would certainly fit the bill as one of the best wide players in the world but Sky sources understand he is not a player United are actively pursuing and they have not made an attempt to sign him since he left Tottenham.

United have instead been trying to sign Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic but have so far been unable to agree a fee, with the Serie A club holding out for £48m for the Croatian international.