MANCHESTER UNITED will have to wait until the summer to
sign Southampton starlet Gareth Bale.
Bale has been at the centre of frenzied speculation since the
transfer window opened with the likes of Manchester United,
Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and even Real Madrid being linked
with the 17-year-old left-back.
The 17-year-old left-back, who has 18 months left on his current
deal, was widely expected to join the Premiership leaders during
the January sales.
But Saints boss George Burley insists the highly-rated ace will
definitely stay at St Mary's until the end of the season. Burley
said: "There is no change in the situation. I spoke to his parents
last week and they are very happy.
"Gareth will certainly be here until the end of the season and
hopefully a lot longer." Southampton are rumoured to have offered
Bale a one-year contract extension the longest permitted at his
age.
But that is unlikely to stop United bidding for the Welshman in the
summer. Burley added: "We are talking to him and hopefully we can
extend his contract."