United tried for Bale, Benzema and Varane – Real

Karim Benzema & Gareth Bale: Both wanted by United

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed Manchester United made enquiries about Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane – in addition to Sergio Ramos – in this summer’s transfer window.

United were involved in a high-profile pursuit for Ramos, with the long-serving defender eventually opting to sign a new deal at the Bernabeu.

Real, themselves, were also keen admirers on United goalkeeper David de Gea, with the fall-out from the failed move leading both clubs to point the finger at one another.

But Perez has also revealed that Louis van Gaal had his eye on three additional Madrid stars, all of whom ignored advances from clubs to remain with Rafael Benitez’s men for 2015-16.

Speaking to Cadena Ser, Perez said: “We know that United showed interest in Bale, Benzema and Varane.”

Bale has been linked with United for almost a year, with his troublesome second season at Madrid leading to speculation that Real were considering selling the former Spurs player to United for a world-record fee.

But their interest in Bale never resulted in a move, while United’s apparent enquiry for Benzema also came to nothing with the France striker opting to stay in the Spanish capital.

Varane has been linked with United since he was a highly-rated prospect at Lens, but Zinedine Zidane’s presence at Madrid helped the club beat their Champions League rivals to his signing in 2011.

With United failing to persuade Real to part company with either Benzema or Bale, United instead swooped to sign teenage forward Anthony Martial in a move that could eventually be worth £59m, while Van Gaal – after missing out on Varane – only added right-back Matteo Darmian to his defensive options.