Real to sacrifice Modric in Bale bid

Luka Modric could be used as leverage for Bale to move to Real Madrid

Gareth Bale could become the most in-demand footballer this summer and Real Madrid have moved to the front of the queue for his signature, Tottenham will be prepared to field a number of significant offers for the Welshman, who has been one of the Premier League's standout players this season, but Real are on the front foot as they consider the possibility of losing Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United. Bale would be a contingency plan for the Liga giants and it is believed they have made an early offer of £30 million AND former Spurs midfielder Luka Modric to attract the flying winger. The news won't be very comforting for Modric - who is being used as bait after a disappointing start to his career at the Bernabeu - or Spurs fans, but Real appears to be one of the few clubs that could prise Bale away from White Hart Lane.

Adding to those rumours are reports that Manchester United have been given a boost in their quest to re-sign Ronaldo, with sports company Nike reportedly meeting with the club to plot the Real Madrid winger's return to Old Trafford. According to the Sun, Nike flew in to London to discuss the renewal of their shirt sponsorship with United, although talks were firmly centred on financing a deal for Ronaldo, worth a cool £65 million. Nike, personal sponsors of Ronaldo, are reportedly frustrated that he turns out in an Adidas kit with Real each week and are keen to maximise their investment by seeing him in their own jerseys at United. Officials at Nike are prepared to increase their sponsorship of the Red Devils to spur the move along.

If Ronaldo seals a move to United in the summer, it may take fans a little while to notice Ezequiel Garay, who is hopeful of securing a deal with the Premier League leaders. According to the Mirror, the Benfica defender has linked up with agent Jorge Mendes - the man responsible for luring Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson to Old Trafford. Garay's change of agency was in a bid to improve the chances of a move to England, having been linked with United in the January transfer window.

Edin Dzeko has been linked with a move away from Manchester City for some time now, with Borussia Dortmund circling for the Bosnia international. Although the 26-year-old has become more valuable to City since the departure of Mario Balotelli to AC Milan, manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed Dzeko could be leaving in the summer. "At the moment, there is nothing. In the end, maybe, I don't know. In the summer, it could be possible," Mancini said, according to the Daily Star. "Dzeko player is an important player for us. We want that he stays here."