Let us talk to Gareth
Real may only ask Bale once, says Zizou
LONDON: Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday pleaded with Tottenham Hotspur: Let Gareth Bale talk to us or he may not get another chance.
World Cup-winner Zidane, now sporting director at the Bernabeu, said: “If he has expressed a desire to join Real, then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us.
“The chance to play for Real might only come around once in a player’s lifetime.
“And it is understandable Gareth does not want to miss out on it.”
Spurs star Bale, 24, is the target of a spectacular £95mil raid by Real.
But, so far, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is sticking to his guns and saying the Welsh wizard is not for sale at any price.
TheLondoners have already turned down a world-record £81mil offer and are preparing to fend off another massive cash-plus-player bid.
Former France ace Zidane piled the pressure on the winger by saying he should swap the white shirt of Spurs for the even more famous white of the nine-time European champions.
He said: “It is not unusual when a player knows that Real Madrid are interested in them, that they get excited.
“There is nothing more prestigious for a player to wear than the white of Real Madrid.”
Zidane is currently with Real in the United States ahead of tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy.
He added: “This is modern football. You have to pay to get the best players in Europe.
“Last season Gareth was on the same level as Ronaldo and Messi. The best players can have not so great games but change a game with a moment of brilliance. Those are the sort of players that win you Champions League and league titles.
“He is already one of the finest players in Europe and he has everything needed to become the best player in the world.
“It is a bit of a cliche but it is true you become a better player playing with better players.”
Real have already splashed £70mil on Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Daniel Carvajal and Casemiro this summer.
But Bernabeu skipper Iker Casillas also threw out the welcome mat for Bale – who won last season’s PFA Player of the Year and Young Player awards – hailing him as “one of the top three or four players in Europe”.
The Spain goalkeeper said: “We are talking about one of the top three or four best players in Europe and it’s normal that his name is being discussed because he has all the qualities a footballer needs.
“Every transfer is controversial in its own way, for better or worse, but we are speaking about a very good, decisive player.
“I’m sure we’ll make another signing before the transfer window shuts.”
Bale and his representatives have been in tense talks with Levy and on Tuesday SunSport revealed even the player’s mum and dad were involved in the discussions.
The Spurs supremo believes Bale is worth even more than Real’s world record bid – topping the £80mil they paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
And he is dismissive of their offer to include Angel Di Maria and Fabio Coentrao as makeweights in the deal.
But Bale is keen to talk to the Spanish giants and wants to test himself against the very best in Europe.
He missed both of Spurs matches in the Asia Cup with a muscle injury but returned to training yesterday ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Monaco. — The Sun, London