Despite scoring a goal that immortalises himself in Champions League history. Gareth Bale has suggested he will be looking at his options in the summer.
For a man that had scored one of the best goals in a major footballing final and won his 4th Champions League Title. Gareth Bale did not appear to be overly happy in his post-match interview.
Bale was open and frank about his desire to be playing regular football and his upset at not starting in Real’s biggest game of the season despite having been in rich vein of form.(Including this goal against Barcelona). There were some ominous words spoken by Bale when speaking to Des Kelly of Bt Sport:
"I need to be playing week in, week out, and that's not happened this season,"
That was only just the beginning:
"I had an injury five, six weeks into the season but I've been fit ever since," added Bale.
"I have to sit down with my agent in the summer and discuss it.
Those words have put Europe’s money teams on high alert. But what are Gareth Bale’s realistic options if he were to leave the triumphant opulence of the Bernabau.
There are a very few teams, if any at all that would not jump at the chance to sign Gareth Bale. However, there are only a handful of teams that can make this happen.
For all their successes, wealth and standing in the game. Bayern Munich’s record signing is Corentin Tolisso at 41.5 million Euros. This is considerably less than the amount that it would take to prize Bale away from Madrid and that would exclude the wage aspect of any potential deal. Alexis Sanchez’s wage demands caused Bayern to pull out negotiations for the Chilean Superstar. Given all those factors, that would appear to rule them out the running.
Arsenal could afford the wages, and potentially the fee. But given their current stranding and Bale’s affiliation to Tottenham. There is zero chance of this happening.
Manchester City are in possession of the finances but have an abundance of young talented attacking players. Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling look ready to take on and conquer the world.
Liverpool have Salah and their front three have been devasting. Plus, after the errors from Loris Karis during the Champions League Final. Liverpool may have other priorities areas to strengthen.
So that leaves the following clubs as realistic destinations for Bale.
Manchester United: They have the money, the standing and above all Jose Mourinho wants a proven winner and established superstar. Bale more than ticks those boxes. A conversation is more than likely to take place as Mourinho seemingly does not have the patience to develop and nurture the talents of Anthony Martial & Marcus Rashford. Whether Bale would be excited by the prospect of playing Mourinho’s brand of football is another thing entirely.
Chelsea: While Chelsea did not mange to defend their Premier League Title in 2017/18. They are serial winners and despite a bad season in the league they still managed to pick up the F.A Cup. While the exuberant spending of Roman Abramovich’s early days is a thing of the past, Chelsea have the resources to make Real a tempting offer. Perhaps an offer that includes Eden Hazard.
Tottenham: The club where Bale came to prominence have first refusal if Real decide to sell. Resigning Bale could be a massive statement of intent by Tottenham as they move back to the redeveloped White Hart Lane. Spurs have threatened to win something for the last few seasons. Would Chairman David Levy sanction breaking the wage structure to resign Bale and help his side take the next step?
PSG: With the constant speculation surrounding Neymar and the need for Psg to comply with FFP. Maybe there could be a swap deal on the cards. If PSG still didn’t need to stump up the cash to pay for Mbappe after his loan deal, I would say this could be a straight cash deal.
PSG are always in the market for superstars to help them in their bid to conquer Europe and offer the kind of winning environment Bale is used to. If PSG were to keep Neymar. Marco Veratti or Edinson Cavani could be offered as makeweights. Especially considering the latter’s relationship with Neymar. Maybe the could offer negotiate the same kind of deal they did for Mbappe. A 1-year loan deal with the obligation to buy for a set fee the next season.
Where do you think Gareth Bale will end up next season?
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