Manchester United offers only real hope for Real Madrid bale out
FEWER than 24 hours after Real Madrid lifted a historic third consecutive Champions League title, the heroes of that night in Kiev were back in the Spanish capital showing off their prize.
Sergio Ramos triumphantly draped the statue of Phrygian goddess Cybele in a Real Madrid flag outside the palace named after her, before engaging the crowd in song after song as the party rolled into the Bernabeu.
The festivities continued as Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo did a version of the latter’s famous goal celebration and the crowd joined in with a rapturous “Siiiiii!”
But it is the ‘come and get me’ words of the match-winner which are echoing the loudest around Europe. Bale’s loveless marriage with manager Zinedine Zidane appears to have finally hit the point of divorce as the two didn’t say a word to one another after the final.
As the richest club in the world, Manchester United could afford Bale and his wages and he certainly carries the X-factor, the superstar name that Ed Woodward and his commercial department are always craving.
His announcement video wouldn’t just have Alexis Sanchez’s piano; it would have the whole orchestra.
It all makes so much sense. Or at least it did 10 months ago when Jose Mourinho spoke publicly of his admiration for the Welshman ahead of the UEFA Super Cup between United and Real.
But now the picture is not quite so clear. Sanchez’s arrival has since satisfied Mourinho’s hunger for a forward, even if his form has been nothing like it was at Arsenal, and United’s manager has other priorities – namely midfield and defence.
If United don’t come calling, Bale’s options will be limited – not least because he is being paid in the region of £300,000 (€344,000) a week.
Tottenham Hotspur have retained the first refusal on their former player that was included in the deal that took him to Madrid for £86m in 2013.
If Real were to accept a bid from any other Premier League club before the end of June 2019, Spurs would have 72 hours to match the offer.
But it’s not simple as that. Bale (left) would likely fetch in the region of £100m and, with a new £1bn stadium to pay off and a basic wage cap (excluding bonuses) of £100,000-a-week, the dream homecoming for so many Spurs fans remains just that – a dream. So where else? Chelsea? Manchester City? The most likely third option for Bale would actually be Bayern Munich, who have a very good relationship with Real Madrid.
Bale’s sublime first goal in the Champions League final had the desired effect of reminding the world of his brilliance, but also ironically jogged Real’s memory of what he can do and they will now have altered his asking price.
And they’re not afraid of holding on to players whose price-tags are not met – as shown with Alvaro Morata in 2016.
This will run and run and something will have to give at some point, whether it’s United, Real, or – more likely – the Welshman’s salary. (© Independent News Service)