Manchester United are reportedly preparing to swap David De Gea for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale in a player-plus-cash deal worth a reported £100 million.
Although Real Madrid have made it clear that they are not interested in selling Bale, the Red Devils are still believed to be adamant on securing his signature.
And now according to the Sunday Mirror, United are reportedly looking to use De Gea as leverage to sign the Welshman.
Real Madrid are still understood to be eyeing De Gea as a replacement for Iker Casillas in the summer, and United chief executive Ed Woodward is reportedly ready to strike a exchange deal involving the Spaniard and Bale with the Los Blancos.
Woodward, who reportedly values the 24-year-old Spaniard at a whopping £50 million, is believed to be ready to offer De Gea plus £50 million in cash for the former Tottenham Hotspur man.
Although De Gea cost United only £17.8m when he joined from Atletico Madrid in summer 2011, his value is believed to have sky rocketed following his excellent performances of late.
United are understood to be trying to convince De Gea to sign a new deal, but the Spaniard is reportedly waiting to see whether the Red Devils qualify for next season's Champions League before committing.
The Red Devils will probably not be that concerned if De Gea does eventually leave as they have already signed a pretty experienced goalkeeper in Victor Valdes.
With their being reports of the Los Blancos being desperate to land De Gea, United are reportedly looking to take advantage of this situation to secure Bale's signature.
Meanwhile, United will reportedly be looking to sign Colombian star Radamel Falcao on a reduced price if they decide to keep him beyond this season.
It was earlier reported that the Red Devils had agreed to pay Monaco a transfer fee of £43 million if they decided to sign the on-loan Falcao on a permanent basis.
However, now the Telegraph claims that United are looking to renegotiate with the Ligue 1 side due to the Colombian's below par performances this season.
The 28-year-old Colombian, who had been in lethal form while playing for Porto and Atletico Madrid earlier in his career, may very well end up moving back to Monaco as United boss Louis Van Gaal recently stated that he would be only be making a permanent move for Falcao if he managed to prove his worth at Old Trafford.
