Gareth Bale was 'blocked' from joining Man United due to 'secret agreement'

Gareth Bale has opened up on the secret agreement which prevented him from signing for Manchester United.

Bale was courted by United as a youngster when he was making waves at Southampton but ultimately signed for Spurs, where he developed from a left-back into a devastating attacker who became world superstar.

After an incredible 26-goal season where he won the PFA Player of the Year, it was time for Bale to move on to his next challenge and that arrived in the form of a then-world-record £86 million transfer to Real Madrid.

However, United were heavily linked with the Welshman and it was reported that David Moyes wanted to make him a marquee signing to kickstart a new era at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Gareth Bale had an offer from Manchester United but turned it down. Image: Getty

And in an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, Bale revealed that he did have conversations with United, specifically with Moyes.

He also admitted that United's offer was higher than what Real paid to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to Gary Neville, Bale said: "United and Madrid were the two teams. I did talk to United, yeah. They actually bid more than Madrid.Bale admitted, speaking to former United captain Gary Neville.

When asked if he as ever going to sign for United, Bale quickly replied: No."

He then explained that he was set on joining 15-time European champions Real and that arrangement was in line with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who refused to sell him to a fellow Premier League side.

As per the terms of a gentleman's agreement', a move abroad, however, was sanctioned after Spurs finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

"I spoke with David Moyes. Not [Ed Woodward], maybe my agent did," Bale revealed.

"My heart was set on Madrid. I had something in place with Daniel Levy, maybe more of a gentleman’s agreement, because he didn’t want to sell me to a rival.

So if a team did come in from Spain, Italy or wherever, I could potentially go because if we didn’t qualify for the Champions League, which we didn't, I was then able to go there. We had that gentleman’s agreement, even though he made it very tough.”

Man United's underwhelming 2013 transfer window

United spent the first-post Ferguson transfer window chasing a whole host of world-class players, with Cesc Fabregas and Toni Kroos top targets alongside Bale but no moves materialising.

Attempts were also made to sign Ander Herrera and Fabio Coentrao, with a late loan move collapsing at the death on deadline day.

In the end, United's only addition was the £27 million capture of Marouane Fellaini from Everton on the final day of the window.

Years later, Moyes admitted United had a "very poor looking" and "terrible" transfer window.

In January, he signed Juan Mata from Chelsea for a £37 million fee in what proved to be Moyes' last signing at Old Trafford as he was sacked just months later.