Jose Mourinho jokes with Real Madrid's Gareth Bale about bringing him to Manchester United

The pair were spotted sharing an embrace prior to kick-off between United and Real Madrid in Sunday's International Champions Cup clash

Gareth Bale has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer (Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho joked with Gareth Bale about signing the Welshman during a light-hearted exchange ahead of Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Real Madrid over the weekend.

Prior to kick-off at San Francisco’s Levi Stadium, the pair were spotted shaking hands and sharing an embrace in the tunnel as the Real Madrid team made their way out on to the pitch.

"I cannot buy you because you do not talk up!" the Portuguese allegedly joked.

The exchange was picked up by Spanish television cameras before the International Champions Cup clash.

United have been linked with a move for Bale ever since the 28-year-old’s place at the Bernabeu was thrown into doubt ahead of May’s Champions League final.

A combination of injury and competition kept the forward out of Real’s starting XI towards the end of last season, prompting speculation that the former Tottenham player was ready to return to the Premier League.

But Mourinho has repeatedly denied any interest in bringing Bale back to England, admitting it would be “mission impossible” to land the forward.

"Yeah, the same (as Ronaldo)," Mourinho said ahead of Sunday’s fixture

"No (he was not on my list of targets). No, because you have contacts, you have feelings, you understand things.

"I think it was clear that Bale likes Madrid, likes the challenge, likes the situation. He's in a club in a very good situation now.

"I never felt a desire from him to leave, so why lose time and energy on that? No."

Instead United have pushed on with what they considered more realistic targets, bringing in Benfica defender Victor Lindelof and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

Mourinho ideally still wants a further two players, with Tottenham defensive midfielder Eric Dier, Chelsea's Nemanja Matic and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic linked to Old Trafford.

"You know, names is difficult for me because as you know the players belong to clubs, the players they are in pre-seasons," the United boss said.

Bale signed a new £18m-a-year deal at Real Madrid last year, committing his future to the club until 2022, but the Welshman’s place in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI remains in question following reports that the Spaniards are closing in on a £161m move for Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe.