Bluebirds pull out the all stops in bid to land Bale
CARDIFF City have put together a complex package which has met Gareth Bale’s demands.
It is understood that Bale’s representatives are not pushing back on the deal, but that the player has been offered an excellent opportunity elsewhere which he is understandably considering.
Whether that is in the MLS or somewhere else is not yet known at this time. He has been strongly linked with American clubs.
Cardiff are said to be respectful of the fact that Bale will take time to weigh up his options.
However a decision is expected to be made over the coming days, rather than when he returns from his holiday in mid-July.
It is astonishing in many ways that a player of Bale’s stature has contemplated signing for a Championship club, but it is one of the options he is strongly considering and Cardiff remain hopeful of landing his signature.
Meanwhile former Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd thinks Gareth Bale’s proposed move to Cardiff makes perfect sense.
Bothroyd said on talkSPORT: “I feel as though Bale is looking and thinking, ‘I have achieved everything I want to in football.
“I have earned the best part of £500-£600k per week, so I am financially stable’.
“If he does go to Cardiff and the World Cup with Wales, he would be very happy, he will be playing for his hometown club and also representing his country.
“And then I think he would call it a day. I don’t see him going beyond this.”
The Bluebirds have reportedly shown an interest in signing striker Josh Maja, 23, from Bordeaux. The 23-year-old has a year left on his deal in France, though, so would likely command a fee unless he is cut from his contract.
AllNigeriaSoccer report that Belgian teams Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp are keen, as well as the Bluebirds and Championship rivals Stoke City.
The Nigeria international spent last season on loan at Stoke City after previously having a spell at Fulham the season before. Bordeaux have been relegated to the third tier of French football due to financial issues and Maja could make way as a result, with the club needing to get wages off the book before the season begins.
Perry Ng has said he is excited to see how new signings Ollie Tanner and Mahlon Romeo get on after being impressed by them on their second day of pre-season training.
Cardiff reported back to base on Wednesday for their first day of preseason and Ng said it was like a “new club”, given the plethora of new faces he found himself surrounded by.
And speaking about linking up with the squad, he told the club’s site: “It’s exciting, coming into the changing room it’s like coming into a new club again! It’s very good, they all seem to be fit, strong lads and I’m excited to play with them,” said Ng.
“I think Ollie has got good technical ability, I’m excited to see how he gets on.
“Also, me and Romes (Mahlon Romeo) did well in the head tennis so I’m excited to see what he’s got as well.”
The defender also hopes that the players can get a solid pre-season under their belts to ensure they kickoff the season in solid form, which would be a contrast to the previous few campaigns.
He added: “Hopefully, after a good pre-season, we can go into the season strong because the last few years haven’t been good enough with our starts, hopefully this time we can put it right.”