Gareth Bale is the future of Real Madrid, will not leave for Manchester United in the summer

Manchester United have been handed a massive blow in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, after his agent Jonathan Barnett made it clear that his client was not going anywhere in the summer.

The Welsh international has been heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League following a difficult campaign in the La Liga thus far.

The former Tottenham midfielder, who had a fabulous first season with the Spanish capital club, has been struggling for form this season, which has seen him come under harsh criticism from fans and pundits alike.

This has prompted reports to suggest that he will be allowed to leave the club if the right offer comes in and it was being touted that United could probably come in with a bid to take the midfielder to Old Trafford.

However, the Real president Florentino Perez stated it first and now his agent has confirmed that Bale will remain with the reigning European champions beyond the current campaign.

"Gareth is wanted by every club in the world. He is one of the top three players on earth. But why he would want to leave Real Madrid?" Barnett told the Independent.

"Gareth's future is at Real Madrid ... in his first year he won the Champions League and the cup in Spain. This time he is in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Why would he go somewhere else?"

"He's not a schoolboy. He doesn't need a nanny. He's a footballer. He is appreciated at the club. When the president of the club says that he is the future of the Real Madrid he knows he has the backing of Florentino Perez. He has the backing of everyone there," the Welsh midfielder's agent added.

"He plays for a football club where he is very happy and that club happens to be the champions of Europe."