According to the latest reports from Don Balon as cited by Manchester Evening News, Gareth Bale has agreed on personal terms with Manchester United ahead of a potential transfer in the summer. The 29-year-old wants Real Madrid to accept a £68m bid which the Red Devils are prepared to pay for the Wales international.
However, the Galacticos value him way higher than that, and they have kept a £103m price tag on Bale. Therefore there is a massive parity between the valuation of both the teams. The former Tottenham man though has threatened to sit out his contract if a move is not allowed in the summer.
Bale might have won four Champions League with the Spanish giants, but the 29-year-old winger has never been able to establish himself at the Santiago Bernabeu. One of the primary reason for that has been his injury issues, and he has often missed a good chunk of the season because of that.
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in the summer of 2018, a lot more was expected out of someone like Bale. However, it is clear that he has failed to deliver the goods as Madrid are more or less confirmed of going through a trophyless season.
One can understand why United are unwilling to pay over £100m for Bale given his injury track record. We believe that the Red Devils are valuing him just about right by offering a figure close to the £70m mark. With him being 29, there isn’t going to be much of resale value, so United are right in holding their ground.
It remains to be seen whether Madrid would bring the price down from the reported £103m. Bale is contracted to stay at Santiago Bernabeu up until 2022. Therefore we don’t see the winger sitting out his entire contract if Madrid decides not to sell him. However, it is never advisable to keep a player who is willing to move to another club so Madrid would be better of selling the winger in the summer.
The Red Devils usually deploy Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford to play down the right flank, but the duo are highly influential when they play from central areas. An outright winger like Bale can be a significant difference maker for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and he has that moment of magic in him as well. With the player reportedly agreeing on personal terms, United would now hope that Madrid wouldn’t turn out to be a big obstacle. Hopefully, from the English club’s point of view, they can secure a move for this star at a reasonable price.
