Bale was never heading back to Spurs, says agent
GARETH Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett says there was never any chance of the Welshman returning to Tottenham in the January window, but admits the club may well have made an effort to make it happen.
Speculation over Bale’s future has been rife for some time, with former club Spurs credited with an audacious attempt to bring him back to North London in the final few days of the January transfer window.
Reports in the English capital had even suggested that Spurs had made a “breakthrough” in their unlikely bid to sign the forward, but the window closed with Bale remaining a Real player.
And, speaking to talkSPORT, Barnett insists that Spurs had little chance of ever bringing him back on board.
“You get articles and comments from people that have no idea what they’re talking about and that annoys me a bit,” he said.
“And they say things when if it was them themselves they wouldn’t do it. They themselves probably wouldn’t do it [leave Real Madrid].
“Gareth believes there’s still a future there for him at Madrid. He’s got two-and-a-half years more there. He has a wife and three children who are very settled and live a very happy lifestyle.”
When pressed further on whether a return to Spurs was ever on the agenda, he replied: “No.”
However, Barnett admits that Daniel Levy may well have flown out to Madrid to explore the possibility of a move as per reports, but believes Spurs would have likely not been able to afford his wages.
“He may have [flown out],” he added. “It’s not for me to say, but Gareth is very happy. Let’s be very realistic, for most clubs he’s out of their league, financially.
“It’s easy for people to say ‘give up the money and play somewhere else’ but he’s happy in Madrid and his kids have grown up there, his family are settled.
“I’ve been told he’s still a big part of Real Madrid.The only people who know what’s going on are Zinedine Zidane, Gareth and probably the president of Madrid and they’re all very happy with the situation.”
Despite helping Madrid to four Champions Leagues and a La Liga title, Bale has come in for intense criticism from Madrid fans, as well as the media, who reacted with fury when Bale unfurled a Wales flag emblazoned with the words “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order,” after helping his country to Euro 2020 qualification.
However, Barnett insists Bale is not dwelling on any of the criticism.
“He doesn’t read about it,” he added. “Most sportsmen don’t read the press. In Madrid a lot of bad journalism takes place, they’re very biased, they write whatever they like.
“Marca and AS are not exactly Pulitzer prize-winning and most of their stories are made up.
“The fans have booed Zidane, they’ve booed Ronaldo and other great players, but Gareth has given the club a lot.
“As he doesn’t do press, he doesn’t give a lot of interviews and he’s a quiet person he’s become a sitting target for them. I think it’s disgusting really, it was just a joke.”
Barnett remains adamant that Bale will remain in the Spanish capital, but has hinted at the possibility of the player moving on once he sees out his current deal.
“When his contract is up, hopefully he’ll sit down with me and the family and decide what he wants to do,” he added.
“Could he one day decide to go to Tottenham?
“I don’t think so, no.”