Manchester United 'launching £60m Gareth Bale bid'

Manchester United are allegedly tabling a £60m offer for Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale.

The club's vice chairman Ed Woodward has returned home early from the pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia to make the Welshman the first major capture of the David Moyes era, according to The Mirror.

Should the report prove accurate, Bale would become United's record signing at almost double the £30.8m they paid for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.

However, Spurs have made their intentions to hold on to Bale clear, warding off interest from Real Madrid throughout the summer.

The news follows reports that Wayne Rooney may leave Old Trafford this summer, with Chelsea thought the most likely destination.