Manchester United 'approach Real Madrid for Bale and Ronaldo'

The news is reported by Spanish paper AS, which claims that Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane are the other two Real stars.

Real Madrid reportedly replied to the query over the four players' availability with one simple word: No.

Bale and Ronaldo have long been linked with possible moves to Old Trafford, with speculation intensifying over the past few months as Bale's lacklustre performances resulted in him getting booed regularly by Real Madrid fans.

But despite Real's trophyless season - their first since 2009-10 - the Madrid giants apparently have no plans to break up their famous "BBC" trio. Indeed, AS's report claims that Real would demand the full release clause value for either player: an astonishing €1 billion!

AS does suggest that a deal could go through for Benzema, however, which tallies with reports that the French striker - who was just ninth on the Liga scoring table this season - is a possible makeweight for Real to sign Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

But Benzema himself is reported to be keen to stay, having renewed his contract just last summer, and "will remain unless Rafa Benitez tells him that he is no longer wanted."

As for Varane? The report claims that he is "obsessed" with being guaranteed a starting spot, something which he failed to hold down in a poor campaign.

And it seems he is willing to go: "He has told his representatives to listen to offers even though he has a contract until 2020," the paper continues, adding that United are well aware that the young Frenchman is unhappy..

For our money, AS has it dead right. Ronaldo will never leave, certainly not on a low like last season. Bale doesn't want to leave, and club president Florentino Perez won't want to sell him since it would mean a severe loss of face if he has to offload a Galactico.

Real could no doubt be persuaded to let go of Benzema, but given his poor returns last season - and indeed a rather patchy record across his time at Real, sometimes brilliant and sometimes underwhelming - you'd have to question who really needs him at the money which would be demanded.

And Varane? With Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey medals already in his collection, not to mention various sparkly plastic widgets handed out for Club World Cups and European Super Cups and so on, he could be forgiven for wanting to move on to a new challenge. And United have wanted him ever since he was a teen sensation at Lens four years ago.