We take a look at ten reasons why Bale could make the move from the Bernabeu to Old Trafford…
Gossip is rife that the world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, could be heading to Manchester United into only his second season with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
READ MORE:
Real Madrid To Accept £117m Manchester United Bid For Unhappy Gareth Bale
‘Ball Hog’ Gareth Bale Booed By Real Madrid Fans For Not Passing To Ronaldo
Spanish Paper Talk: Bernabeu Angry With Gareth Bale Despite Real Madrid Win
Here are ten reasons why the transfer could happen – as reported by the Telegraph.
1. Real fans remained unconvinced by the Welshman
While Bale has consistently performed so far at Real Madrid, including goals in the Champions League and Copa del Rey final last season, Real’s fans remain unsure of the Welshman. This was none more so evident when Bale was booed for choosing to shoot rather than pass to the better positioned Ronaldo on Saturday.
2. You don’t mess with Cristiano Ronaldo
Since Bale’s arrival, his relationship with Ronaldo has been documented as positive – but the Portugal captain was clearly annoyed by Bale’s selfishness in not passing on Saturday, and the Wales winger will not want to make a habit of upsetting Ronaldo.
3. Angel di Maria showed the grass can be greener on the other side
Angel di Maria was a pivotal part of Real Madrid’s success last season, even putting in a man of the match performance in the Champions League final – but the Argentine was still offloaded in the summer for £59.7m to Manchester United.
Importantly, di Maria still made the move to Old Trafford knowing he would play no part in the Champions League for the season with the Red Devils failing to qualify last season – United therefore are not struggling to bring in the big names, and are certainly not struggling to pay big wages.
4. Manchester United are not afraid to spend BIG
The likes of newcomers Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao, as well as January signing Juan Mata did not come cheap – the Red Devils have made a huge investment on the current team, spending in excess of £150m in the summer.
Bale would cost a reported £150m, but if any Premier League team is to part with such an amount, it would be Man United, especially if they make an expected return to the Champions League.
5. Real Madrid are also not afraid to sell star signings
Star signings Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder – both bought in 2007 – were sold just two years later, even though they delivered for Real Madrid on the pitch.
With it now being two years since Bale joined the Spanish giants from Tottenham, he could be set to suffer a similar fate.
6. Real fans favour Isco over Bale
Isco arrived in the same summer as Bale, and while he has often been pushed out of the starting line-up by the Welshman, the young Spaniard is a favourite with the Real fans.
This season the pair have found themselves jostling for the same position, which makes it logical for Real Madrid to offload one – and as Bale would command a much higher fee he is the more likely to be sold.
7. Marco Reus is a readied replacement
Reus is being readied as the club’s next galactico and as a replacement for Bale with the German expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
Real Madrid almost have too many stars already – with Bale, Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Isco – if Reus is to make the transfer to the Bernabeu, Bale is the most likely from the list of stars to have to go.
8. Bale would be closer to his family at Man United
As Gareth Bale’s unveiling at the Bernabeu showed, the 25 year old is a family man, and a return to England would mean he would be closer to his family – something that could be a decider given the fact that Bale has a two year old daughter.
9. Bale would be the main man at Old Trafford
There is no question that Cristiano Ronaldo is the number one man at Real Madrid, and always will be. Furthermore, the arrival of a new galactico each summer would also make Bale old news at the club.
The Wales winger flourished during his time at Tottenham because the team centred around him – and Bale would most certainly be the main main in the Manchester United team, especially with such an attacking manager as Red Devils boss Van Gaal.
10. Bale could team-up with hero Ryan Giggs
Bale is an open admirer of fellow countryman Ryan Giggs having grown up watching the Manchester United legend, and a move to Old Trafford would see the pair team up.
What’s more, Giggs himself would be desperate to be seen as having played a crucial role in making the transfer happen to illustrate just how valuable he remains at the club.