Real Madrid rule out selling Gareth Bale to Manchester United

Manchester United's hopes of signing Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale have been dismissed by owner Florentino Perez after the Bernabeu owner claimed the Wales international was not for sale at any price.

Despite enjoying a trophy-laden first 18 months in the Spanish capital following his world-record £85m move from Tottenham Hotspur, Bale was linked with a £120m move to United last week.

United manager Louis van Gaal has refused to discuss the reports linking the club with a move for Bale, who has won the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the Uefa Super Cup and the Club World Cup in 2014.

"We have not received any offer from Manchester United or any other club for Gareth Bale," said Perez. "Nor would we listen to any offers for Bale whatever the amount."

Though United are not expected to make any significant signings during the January transfer window, the club are likely to resume their spending spree from last summer at the end of the campaign in order to sustain their recent improvement.

When asked about a potential move for Bale, Van Gaal responded: "I will not discuss that with you. I discuss that with my chief executive [Ed Woodward] and not with anyone of the media."

United's priorities for next summer's transfer window are likely to include long-term targets Kevin Strootman of Roma and Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, while a permanent deal for Radamel Falcao is also likely.

Seven wins in United's last nine Premier League matches leave them 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, and three ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal, heading into the second half of the season/