Manchester United are reportedly set to make a fresh £80million bid for Gareth Bale after Louis van Gaal spoke of springing a transfer "surprise".
Wales winger Bale, who cost the Spanish giants £85million from Tottenham two years ago, had a tough time in La Liga last season, and was repeatedly barracked by Madrid fans on and off the pitch.
And with Van Gaal now hinting United could do something special in the remaining 44 days of the transfer window, the Sunday Mirror have claimed Bale - now valued at £95m by the Spaniards - is still on their radar.
Van Gaal, who has spent £76million on four new signings so far this summer, has admitted he is determined to "improve at least two positions" before the transfer window closes, with the Dutchman identifying a forward and an experience centre-half as his two priority areas of reinforcement.
And Van Gaal has added fuel to the fire by admitting he could add a 'surprise' name to his forward line before the window slams shut.
He said: "We have Wayne Rooney, he can play in strikers' position, and all media had written he should play there so I listen and now you put this question so don't know what you want.
"Also Chicharito and maybe Wilson and maybe there comes a surprise. It's a process. I'm not worried about that position."
United would be unwilling to meet Real's £95million valuation of the player, but could test their resolve to hang on to the former White Hart Lane favourite by making an opening bid of £80million.
Any deal for Bale would smash the British transfer record, which is currently the £59.7million United paid Real for Angel Di Maria last summer.
United could recoup any outlay for Bale by cashing-in on Di Maria, who has been linked with a £50million move to PSG this summer.
