Manchester United rumours and news: Gareth Bale £75m bid 'to be made this month': Louis van Gaal to promote Will Keane; club optimistic over Sadio Mane

Speculation linking Gareth Bale with Old Trafford refuses to go away; Saido Mane may yet leave Southampton despite denials from the Saints; Victor Valdes likely to finally get his move away

Gareth Bale has been linked with United yet again

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to make a club-record £75m move for Real Madrid's Gareth Bale this month.

The Daily Mail have reported that United are encouraged by signals from the Welshman that he is ready to return to the Premier League.

The report adds that the prospect of working with Ryan Giggs, one of Bale's boyhood heroes, is instrumental to the transfer. Current assistant coach Giggs is next in line to manage United, after Louis van Gaal leaves the club.

The 26-year-old moved to Real from Tottenham for a world record £85m in 2013.

Rumours of Saido Mane joining United never seem far away and today is no different. Despite denials from the Southampton hierarchy that the Senegal international will be leaving this month, the Red Devils remain optimistic they can persuade Mane to leave the south coast. The Daily Star suggest that strained relations between Ronald Koeman and the player have left his future in doubt, stating a move to Manchester is just around the corner. Louis van Gaal, the United boss, has been criticised for abandoning the ‘champagne football’ and wing-play preferred by Sir Alex Ferguson but signing the 23-year-old from the Saints would be statement that he is prepared to alter his ways.

Jamie Vardy is out for the next two weeks for minor surgery on his groin (Getty)

Van Gaal could face frustration elsewhere, however, as Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy seems likely to remain at the King Power Stadium. The Daily Mail reveal the Foxes have offered the former Fleetwood striker, who broke the consecutive top flight goalscoring record earlier this season, a new £80,000-per-week contract extension to beat off any competition for his signature. Vardy is the joint-highest Premier League goal-scorer, level with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, and has spoken openly about his willingness to remain in the East Midlands as Leicester attempt to secure the most unlikely qualification to the Champions League in recent memory.

One player who could leave Old Trafford this year, on the other hand, is disgruntled goalkeeper Victor Valdes. The former Barcelona shot-stopper has been relegated down the pecking order under Van Gaal after a high-profile bust-up between the pair. The Manchester Evening News and Daily Star said last night that the Red Devils are considering the prospect of cancelling the 33-year-old’s contract rather than continuing to play him among the reverse squad. Valdes has been subject to interest from across Europe in recent months with Fenerbache known to be keen admirers but any potential suitors would be daunted by the prospect of paying a fee.

United manager Van Gaal has showcased his willingness to promote players from the academy before and, according to the club’s youth team coach, he could be forced to do so again. Tommy Martin told reporters yesterday that Will Keane, recently recalled from a loan spell with Championship outfit Preston North End, could be set for a spell with the first-team squad. He said: “I think that's the idea of him coming back from Preston, that hopefully he'll be involved with the first team more than the U21s. He's a young player, he's part of the first-team squad but not always getting the minutes so it's vital that he does play for the Under-21s when he gets the opportunity.”