Manchester United plot £30m Karim Benzema bid after Gareth Bale rejects Old Trafford move

Manchester United are reportedly set to make a £30m bid for Karim Benzema after Gareth Bale revealed his intentions to remain with Real Madrid next season.

According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils were keen on bringing the Welshman to Old Trafford next summer, but he is adamant that he will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu prompting Louis van Gaal to turn to Karin Benzema.

The report claims that the striker's future at the Spanish capital club is in doubt after new manager Rafael Benitez indicated that he sees Cristiano Ronaldo in a lone striker role next season.

This has put the French forward's place in the team in jeopardy and United are ready to test Real's resolve with a £30m bid for the striker.

The 20-time English champions seem resigned to losing David de Gea to the Spanish giants during the summer transfer window, and are looking to get one of their top stars as part of the deal.

Earlier in the month, reports claimed that the Premier League club had opened talks with the former Lyon striker's agent over a summer move.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the forward, but the reports suggest that the north London club have switched targets and are now keen on signing Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain, who is also a target for Chelsea.

Van Gaal is keen on bolstering his forward line following the return of Radamel Falcao to AS Monaco, and Robin van Persie's future at the club also remains uncertain as the striker enters the final year of his contract.

It leaves just Wayne Rooney and 19-year-old James Wilson as the only recognised strikers at the club.