Former Manchester United winger Mickey Thomas has claimed that rumours within Old Trafford state that Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale could join the Premier League champions before the transfer deadline.

The Wales international appeared to be closing in on an £86m switch to Real Madrid, but reports have emerged indicating that Spurs are considering an offer from another club.

While it is believed that United are not bidding for the prolific player, Thomas has heard otherwise.

"The whispers around Old Trafford are that he's Old Trafford-bound," Thomas told BBC Radio Wales Sport. "That might be more in hope than anything else but it could happen, because by all accounts Real Madrid have not got all the money to put down for Gareth Bale.

"So that might not happen and he might be Old Trafford-bound. That would be great news for Welsh football and certainly for Manchester United."

Reports have claimed that Bale will only consider leaving Tottenham for the Bernabeu.