Real Madrid tell Manchester United that Gareth Bale is not for sale after £46.5m approach

Real Madrid have told Gareth Bale's agent that his client is not on sale after Manchester United made a €65m (£46.5m, $72.6m) first approach to secure the services of the former Tottenham star, reports in Spain claim.

After some reports claimed that the Champions League winners were ready to part ways with Bale at the end of the campaign, Spanish newspaper AS reported earlier this week that the player's agent, Jonathan Barnett, was forced to make an unexpected trip to Madrid to meet with club president Florentino Perez and learn first-hand whether they are eventually planning to sell him.

The reports added that even though Bale's first intention would be to stay at the Spanish giants for the long-term to prove the doubters wrong, he would be open to considering a return to the Premier League should Real Madrid ask him to leave – with Manchester United in the pole position to secure his services.

AS have now revealed further details of the meeting claiming that when Barnett asked Perez whether Real Madrid would consider to sell Bale this summer the club president was clear and respond they want him to stay as are confident that sooner rather than later the Welshman will succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish newspaper add that just in case, Barnett passed on to Real Madrid a first offer from Manchester United of €65m - far away from the €100m-plus bids which have been published in England - with Perez insisting they want Bale to stay at least one more season – asking him to postpone any negotiations for the following summer.

Although Bale has only 17 goals and provided 12 assists in his second season in La Liga, Real Madrid hopes he will improve his stats next season ahead of the European Championship as Wales are in good shape to qualify.