Report: Manchester United bid £72.5m for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale

Manchester United have reportedly launched a £72.5m bid to sign Real Madrid star Gareth Bale just one day before the transfer deadline.

The Red Devils, who are said to be desperate to add attacking flair to the team, have been linked with the Welshman for some time.

Bale has been among a number of rumoured targets, including Neymar and Thomas Muller, but it does not appear that the former Tottenham Hotspur player is affected by the speculation as he scored twice in Madrid's 5-0 rout over Real Betis on Saturday.

According to beIN Sports reporter Tancredi Palmeri, United have made one final attempt to land Bale with a big-money offer, but as of last night, Madrid had yet to respond.

Bale moved to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2013 for a world-record £85m fee.