Gareth Bale to Manchester United: Spanish website claims Real Madrid are 'willing to listen to offers'

Welshman has endured a difficult second season at the Bernabeu

Gareth Bale celebrates for Wales (Getty Images)

Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers for Gareth Bale, according to a Spanish website.

Whilst at one stage the world's most expensive player was off limits, fichajes.net report that the thinking has changed among the Bernabeu hierarchy, aware that a huge fee could be commanded for the Welshman that could then be reinvested in the squad.

Bale has been adamant he wants to remain a Real Madrid player amid the transfer speculation that has surrounded his second season at the Bernabeu following his switch from Tottenham.

However the 25-year-old has found himself criticised by his own fans and team-mates during difficult spells in the current campaign.

Manchester United are known admirers of Bale having tried to sign him when he left White Hart Lane. However suggestions that they could use goalkeeper David De Gea are wide of the mark, with The Independent understanding that Manchester United bosses are ready to pay the Spaniard £200,000-a-week to keep him at Old Trafford.