Manchester United would reportedly prefer to agree a loan deal for Gareth Bale, rather than sign the Real Madrid forward on a permanent basis.

While Bale has allegedly been denied the opportunity to leave the Bernabeu in the past, the two parties hope to agree a compromise over a departure in the coming weeks.

That has led to interest from United, who are growing increasingly frustrated in their efforts to bring in Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho.

According to The Sun, United will attempt to sign the Wales international on a season-long loan, while possessing the option to extend the arrangement into a second campaign.

The 31-year-old's agent Jonathan Barnett has frequently insisted that the attacker has little interest in departing Los Blancos on a temporary basis.

Nevertheless, unless United are willing to meet Madrid's £18.5m valuation, the frontman may be left with few options on the table.