Gareth Bale could join Manchester United as early as January, according to reports.
The Real Madrid outcast attempted to leave the club for Jiangsu Suning in China earlier this year but Real blocked his £1million-a-week move.
Los Blancos are understood to have vetoed Bale’s switch at the last minute because they demanded a transfer fee.
However, sources close to The Sun say that Real did it because they knew United were keen and are even more determined to land a star name to rescue their season.
Bale has a well known frosty relationship with Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.
The Welshman was not fit enough to play for his club for a month, but he was still able to join up with his country for their Euro 2020 qualifiers.
In fact, he started and played 60 minutes of Wales’ 2-0 win at Azerbaijan on Saturday as Ryan Giggs’ men kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive.
Welsh fans stoked the flames by selling flags which said: "Wales. Golf, Real…in that order."
The former Tottenham man admitted that playing for his country excites him more than playing for Los Blancos.
He said: "I definitely have more excitement playing for Wales."
"I’ve been with most of the older players since we were in the Under-17s. It’s like playing with your mates down the park on a Sunday. It’s normal."
"With Wales, I’m speaking my own language and feel more comfortable. But it doesn’t change what I do on the pitch."
"I always give 100 per cent on the pitch wherever I am, that’s what I always strive to do."
Bale is contracted at Real Madrid until 2022 on around £650,000-a-week, although that figure would almost certainly drop if he were to move away.
The Sun’s report also claims sources close to Bale suggest he is ready to call time on his LaLiga career and Real are willing to listen to offers for their player, with the Red Devils ‘set to seal’ his signing.
However, if United were to sign Bale, Real could use that as leverage to bring Paul Pogba, who has expressed his desire to pursue a ‘new challenge’, to the Bernabeu.