According to reports in The Times, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is ready to make a move for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, who is rated at £72m according to Transfermarkt, if the Welshman doesn’t make the starting line-up for their clash against the Red Devils in the UEFA Super Cup in Skopje.

The Times says his future is in doubt as the Champions League holders continue to pursue Monaco youngster Kylian Mbappe, while Zinedine Zidane could choose to start Marcos Asensio ahead of him on Tuesday.

Mourinho said: "If he’s playing tomorrow I wouldn’t think of [trying to sign him].

"If he’s not in the club’s plans I would be waiting for him on the other side and be fighting with the other coaches who would like to have him."

Chelsea were also linked with a move for the attacker by the Sunday Express on August 6, and it could come down to a head-to-head battle between the two Premier League rivals.

Blues supporters were quick to have their say on the latest Bale update via social media, and they are divided on a potential deal.

While some believe he would be a "huge upgrade on Willian", others say that signing him would be a "waste of time and money" after he missed chunks of last season with ankle and calf injuries.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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