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Real Madrid 'will not listen to offers for Bale'

Gareth Bale scored in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals last season © Getty Images

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says his world-record signing Gareth Bale is not for sale amid persistent speculation linking the Wales international with Manchester United.

United were said to be lining up a big-money bid for Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for a £86 million in the summer of 2013, with Louis van Gaal doing little to discourage the speculation.

There had also been claims that Madrid were willing to consider an exchange deal involving David de Gea, but Perez told media in Dubai that the European champions have no intention of parting with the attacker.

"We haven't received an offer from Manchester United or any other club for Gareth Bale," he said. "We wouldn't listen to any offers for Bale, regardless of the amount."

Will Ron Vlaar join international team-mate Robin van Persie at Old Trafford © Getty Images

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He added: "I cannot imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo, nor Gareth Bale. This is a unique player who has already given us a lot and is crucial to the future of the club."

Bale's agent recently claimed that United had offered more money than Real Madrid to take Bale from Tottenham in 2013.

Another player heavily linked with United, Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar, has also said he has had no contact from the Old Trafford club.

Sources told ESPN in October that Vlaar was an option for United and that Villa were seeking £12m for the Dutch centre-back.

Vlaar was a cornerstone of Van Gaal's Netherlands defence in last summer's World Cup and is out of contract at Villa Park in the summer but, while he said that other clubs have made approaches for him, he suggested they are not bigger than Villa.

The 29-year-old was wanted by Southampton in the summer when Ronald Koeman's public interest irritated his Villa counterpart Paul Lambert, and Vlaar told Algemeen Dagblad that he had not received an offer that would tempt him to leave Villa.

Asked specifically about Manchester United, he added: "I've never heard from them. If a club had really wanted me, I would have noticed. That has not been the case."

United are expected to sign another central defender at some stage after Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo all suffered injuries, with Van Gaal having used youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair and midfielders Daley Blind and Michael Carrick at the back.

Vlaar, who joined Villa from Feyenoord for £3.2m in 2012, has made 76 appearances for Villa.

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