Real fretting after Bale’s slow start at Spurs sets alarm bells ringing
GARETH Bale’s early form at Tottenham has reportedly ignited concerns at Real Madrid that they will not be able to offload him next summer, which could wreck their lofty transfer plans.
The Welshman has played a bitpart at Spurs since signing a seasonlong loan deal, scoring three goals in his 11 appearances to date.
Bale’s eye-watering wages at the Bernabeu, believed to be worth around £600,000 a week before tax, became a huge stumbling block for any move to be pushed through back in the summer, however a compromise was struck between Real and Spurs to pay roughly half the player’s wages each.
It was hoped, at least in the Spanish capital, the 31-year-old would recapture his best form in north London and seal a permanent move there at the end of the season.
However, according to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid are concerned that Spurs, or any other suitor for that matter, will not be encouraged to buy Bale next summer owing to his fitness issues and his failure to hit his straps.
That can all change quickly, of course, as he regains full match sharpness, provided he is afforded a good run in the team, but as we approach the mid-point of the season, clubs will doubtless be planning ahead for next summer’s transfer window.
In Real Madrid’s case, the ideal scenario would be to land one of their big-money targets, Borussia Dortmund wunderkind Erling Haaland or PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe.
If they are unable to shift Bale, however, Real Madrid will be lumbered with his full wages for another season, with the Welshman’s contract set to run until June 2022, making it unfeasible for them to splash out on a Galactico.
AS state: “If no interested buyer [for Bale] can be summoned by next summer then it is more than likely that Bale would return to La Liga, and with him, his full wage commitment.
“This could scupper any plans of bringing in the likes of Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, something that had been targeted following the outlay for the new Santiago Bernabeu stadium.”
The report suggests Bale’s form is “at risk” of scuppering Real Madrid’s entire transfer plan, with the Spanish champions keen to see Bale hit top form in order to attract a buyer next summer.
However, both Tottenham and Bale himself will want that, too.
Should the Wales star find that rhythm, gained only through minutes under the belt, though, then he can certainly have the desired impact at Spurs.
Bale is currently sidelined, with boss Jose Mourinho revealing on Tuesday that he will be out for “a few weeks” after picking up a knock against Stoke City in the EFL Cup last week.