While I agree with part of what you wrote, it seems those positions are exaggerated.
1. A statement we are clinging to the past. There is some of that going on but that is not what is in play entirely. He still has as much capability as any player on our team. The question is for how long.
2. Bale is an Adidas player, he is nowhere near as commercially appealing for us and Nike as Kane, Lloris or Eriksen, he's not a big deal for AIA either as he's neither a paragon of health, attractive or Asian. He has lost some of his appeal, but not all of it. While it is a bit "clingy", doesn't the picture below still have an emotional impact?
3. See number 2. Welsh brand awareness perhaps. He still has global awareness because of his goals at RM at crucial moments. Back in the EPL, he would be back on the world's biggest stage which certainly wouldn't hurt.
4. See number 1.
Lets not pretend he's Neymar and NIke are going to give us sexy THFC x Jordan away kit like PSG. He's not. but the commercial portion is not as important as what he can do on the field. And here is the big if which is where we are probably in full agreement. Can he do it on the field for a season? I'm not convinced he can but until the physios make that call, he is an interesting potential addition.
Lets also not pretend he's Cristiano and he's going to shift 500,000 shirts in his first 24 hours This all comes down to the finances. If the price is low enough, he doesn't need to. if the price is too high, then he isn't worth it. I am a fan of his but not at any cost. What he does is gives us the ability to go to a 4-3-3 with Kane, Moura and Sonny. Three players who are clearly dangerous from 25 yards and in. Three players that can stretch any defense. four players that move well off the ball. add a midfielder or two who can distribute (or a CB) and our offense is as potent as any that doesn't have Messi.
Eh. Madrid didnt really have much of a say here to begin with. They've made it known they want him out and need him out to free up space. But they are the ones that agreed to pay him £600k/wk. They made their own bed. Now they'll likely have to lie in it.
One would suspect that any deal would include performance-related bonuses to reduce the cost for any purchasing team initially, but bring more return to Madrid if he is successful. I don't see any team taking a gamble without that.
