Bale’s key to Madrid Poch bid
REAL MADRID plan to match WHATEVER Manchester United offer Tottenham for Mauricio Pochettino – and RAISE it by throwing in Gareth Bale.
The Spanish giants have been tracking the Spurs manager for the best part of two years and were convinced they would get their man.
But now United are firmly in the hunt for Pochettino after sacking Jose Mourinho last week.
That means Real must dig very deep in the summer to stand any chance of winning the battle for the Argentine coach.
Spurs would likely want £45million at least in compensation and Poch could expect to earn £12m a year at Old Trafford.
That is where Bale enters the equation.
Sources close to Real suggest they will give Spurs the first option to buy back the Wales
international on the cheap – if it paves the way to lure Poch to Madrid.
Certainly, the prospect of Bale, 29, returning to the club he left five years ago for a then-world record £85m would be a tempting one for Tottenham supremo Daniel Levy.
Re-signing the three-time Champions League winner – even at a reduced price – would be a significant statement going into their first full season at the new White Hart Lane.
Levy (right) of course, is no mood to lose his manager.
Yet even the tough Spurs chief may find it impossible to keep Pochettino amid interest from the two biggest clubs in world football.
One possible way to convince him his future lies with the club is to hand him significant funds in the January window.
At least, that’s the view of ex-England and Spurs defender Terry Fenwick.
He said: “The squad is fantastic already but I’m hoping Daniel and Mauricio get their heads together and bring in one or two world-class players.
“If they don’t spend I think he will leave.”