After what has been an up-and-down season for marquee loan signing Gareth Bale, experts have questioned if the club would commit to the full-time return of a former hero. Despite an uptick in form in 2021, though, it is believed that a mixture of the fee, the wages, and Bale’s own desire to return to Spain would mean that any return permanently would be a non-starter.
With Bale known to have a tepid at best relationship with Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, though, could another loan be on the cards to see out his final year in Madrid?
With a lack of UEFA Champions League football now almost guaranteed, it leaves Spurs fighting to keep star talent as opposed to make signings. Already, reports suggest that a second season missing out on UCL action could see star players like Son Heung-Min consider their long-term future. Therefore, the onus is believed to be on making signings who are young and affordable as opposed to investing heavily in a big-hitter, highly paid veteran.
Despite being a signing that coach Jose Mourinho was believed to have OK’d, it has not been a successful return to London for Bale. Having signed for the club from Southampton as a youngster, he endured a rough start at Spurs including a massive winless run when he was in the first-team. However, his revival under Harry Redknapp seen Bale turn into the attacking wide-man he became.
Spurs, though, are believed to have an already limited budget due to an inability to meet objectives this year. With talk that Mourinho himself could be out the door, too, that would eat into any budget to make new signings. Spurs, then, are unlikely to be able to afford Bale.
Where will Gareth Bale go?
The truth is that, at the moment, the player is in a pretty unenviable position. Sure, he gets eye-popping wages at Madrid regardless of what happens. But for a player who has earned well since his youngest years, can another huge wage packet really be motivating as his career begins to enter the last few years?
Therefore, there is limited appeal for any team to take on Bale. His incredible earning power means that precious few clubs can afford him. And for those who can afford him, the money is seen as better invested in younger players who could improve and return funds in the future via a transfer.
Whether Spurs, one of the many European names linked with Bale, or American and Chinese clubs, there is little interest in taking Bale on at current rates. With Madrid desperate to move him on again, too, in a bid to make their own signings easier to make, we could see Bale put on the market for a very small price – or even free – in a bid to move him on.
Perhaps if bought-out or otherwise available for nothing, a return could happen. Without another year in the UCL, though, might Bale fancy his chances elsewhere?
Leave a Reply