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."