Soccer Transfer Rumors: Gareth Bale Received Lucrative Offer from Manchester United Before Real Madrid Move

By John Santisteban

Nov 16, 2014 05:58 PM EST

Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, confirmed that Manchester United expressed strong interest in acquiring the star midfielder before the record transfer move that sent the Wales international to Real Madrid.

Barnett said in an interview that he felt honored after striking the world record 100 million Euro deal last year, but he quickly added that they considered an offer from Manchester United, but Bale wanted to move to Real Madrid.

"It was a great honor for me because I met Gareth when he was very young and I was able to help make dream come true," Barnett said of the lucrative transfer move. "He always wanted to play for Madrid. He could have gone to United and other clubs, but he wanted to go to Madrid."

When pressed to reveal Manchester United's offer, Barnett did not give an exact figure, but he pointed out that Red Devil's offer was higher than Real Madrid. He also added that FC Barcelona also talked to Tottenham about the possibility of acquiring the 25-year-old star.

"Not much more, but more," Barnett said when asked to compare the offers from Real Madrid and Man Utd. "I know that at one time Barcelona were also interested in him, but he said he did not want to go there. There were two agents who called me."

Bale impressed in his first year in Spain last season, when he netted 15 goals and posted 12 assists in 27 Spanish La Liga games. He was also a big reason why Real Madrid won the Champions League last season as he tallied six goals and four assists in the tournament.

This season, Bale has already posted eight goals and four assists in all competition for Real Madrid. Barnett said that Bale will continue to improve, confidently saying that the Real Madrid superstar will be a strong contender for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award in the near future.

"I'm sure that he will be the best player in the world," Barnett said. "He will win the Ballon d'Or. He's 25 years old! I told the president and Jose Angel Sanchez and they laughed. They don't laugh much now."