Real Madrid line up bid for Spurs hot-shot Gareth Bale
Spanish giant may have to pay £50m for the Welsh star who just can't stop scoring
REAL MADRID are ready to swoop for Tottenham's Welsh star Gareth Bale this summer, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Tottenham will not listen to offers of less than £50m for Bale, who was in stunning form during Monday's 3-2 victory at West Ham, but a source close to the Spanish giants believes they have the desire and financial muscle to land his services.
Real's former president Ramón Calderón, who retains close links with the club, tells the Daily Telegraph: "I think we are in a position to pay the money they are going to ask for." He adds: "[Bale] is one of those players you would always like to have in your team."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Spanish club's next move could hinge on the future of former Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward, who has two years left to run on his contract at the Bernabéu, will hold talks with the club in May.
Reports in Spain suggest that current Real president Florentino Pérez would be prepared to sell the forward to fund a summer move for a clutch of top players including Bale, who is known in Spain as "the left-footed Ronaldo". Pérez is due to stand for re-election as president later this year and is keen to make a "box-office signing" to boost his appeal.
Other clubs circling for the young Welshman's services include Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester City. Meanwhile, friends of Bale suggest that his future will depend on whether Tottenham qualify for Champions League football next season.
Victory over their north London rivals Arsenal on Sunday would be a major boost to third-placed Tottenham's bid for European qualification. In-form Bale, who has scored 15 goals in 23 Premier League appearances for Spurs this season, is widely tipped to be named player of the year for the second time in three years.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Virtual prisons': how tech could let offenders serve time at home
Under The Radar New technology offers opportunities to address the jails crisis but does it 'miss the point'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Airport goodbyes
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'We shouldn't be surprised that crypto is back'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Where will Cristiano Ronaldo go next?
feature Portugal captain has been linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Gareth Bale: Wales captain is a ‘once in 100 years’ player
Why Everyone’s Talking About The 33-year-old is ready to ‘give it everything’ as Wales return to the World Cup
By Mike Starling Published