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Telegraph - Bale still expects Madrid deal to go through despite twist
By Ben Rumsby8:02PM BST 26 Aug 2013
Gareth Bale and Real Madrid were on Monday night preparing for his unveiling as the most expensive player in history in defiance of the latest twist in the summer’s biggest transfer saga.
Bale remained on course to seal an £86 million move from Tottenham Hotspur to the Bernabeu after returning to London from Spain to await the green light to travel back to Madrid and sign a six-year, £8.5 million a-year contract.
He and Real were confident of being given the all clear, despite sources at White Hart Lane on Monday denying an agreement had already been struck between the clubs.
Even more dramatic were claims a rival bid was being considered, despite Bale’s heart being set on Real.
It was unclear from where such an offer would have emerged, with Paris St Germain — and possibly Manchester United — the only clubs linked to the player with the financial muscle to compete with Real’s record-breaking bid.
United quickly distanced themselves from any suggestion they might be trying to hijack the deal, while PSG did not respond to requests for comment.
Manchester City also possess the clout to meet the asking price of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy but, like United, they insisted they had made no such move.
Former Spurs star Gary Lineker was among those to express scepticism over claims of a second bidder, posting on Twitter: “Always the possibility of the deal falling through, medical etc. But go to another club? I suspect Mr Levy may be playing games.”
News of a tug-of-war for Bale’s services would arguably benefit Spurs as they and Real put the finishing touches to the transfer of the 24-year-old, who is still expected to be formally unveiled in a grand ceremony at the Bernabeu, potentially within the next 24 hours.
Levy is renowned for driving a hard bargain, especially when he feels he has little choice but to sell a player he wants to keep.
His decision to travel to Madrid for face-to-face talks with Real president Florentino Perez was seen as a tactic designed to get the highest possible fee for Bale.
Despite reaching an agreement in principle, there were still concerns at Tottenham yesterday over the precise schedule of payments, which will be made in three stages.
They have offered Real the carrot of receiving a significant discount on the total fee if they meet those payments early but have also insisted upon punitive clauses if the Spaniards are late.
Spurs have played hardball in securing bank guarantees from Real having earlier been doubtful of the funding of the deal.
There was also lingering anger on Monday at Real’s decision to erect a stage at the Bernabeu to present Bale as long ago as Friday and seemingly offer No 11 replica shirts with the Welshman’s name on it, both of which were seen as disrespectfully premature.
Real played away to Granada on Monday night and are at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in what is now expected to be Bale’s debut appearance.
The fee for Bale will beat the £80m world record Cristiano Ronaldo set when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 although it falls short of the £103 million Spurs were at one time quoting to let Bale go.
It had been expected Tottenham would delay releasing Bale until they had secured replacements but there was always a will not to let this one go down to the wire.
Having missed out on Willian, after the Brazilian attacking midfielder opted to move to Chelsea for £30 million Spurs are hopeful of signing Erik Lamela from Roma for around £26 million.
The Argentina winger’s agent was said to be in London on Monday, with the player expected to follow in the next 24 hours all being well.
It is hoped that Spurs will add another forward player, with Zenit St Petersburg’s Hulk a possibility if a fee closer to £30 million can be agreed — although that remains a problem.
They have also reached agreement to acquire the 23-year-old Romania central defender Vlad Chiriches from Steaua Bucharest for around £8 million.
Tottenham also explored with Real the possibility of a cash-plus-players deal involving Bale.
The club reasoned that a pile of money in the bank was no good to them if they were going to weaken their squad.
However these talks broke down after Real’s valuation on their players — also including winger Ángel di Maria — was deemed too high.
Spurs then set about ensuring they secured players they wanted such as Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Étienne Capoue — and Willian before that fell through — to add to Paulinho.
By Ben Rumsby8:02PM BST 26 Aug 2013
Gareth Bale and Real Madrid were on Monday night preparing for his unveiling as the most expensive player in history in defiance of the latest twist in the summer’s biggest transfer saga.
Bale remained on course to seal an £86 million move from Tottenham Hotspur to the Bernabeu after returning to London from Spain to await the green light to travel back to Madrid and sign a six-year, £8.5 million a-year contract.
He and Real were confident of being given the all clear, despite sources at White Hart Lane on Monday denying an agreement had already been struck between the clubs.
Even more dramatic were claims a rival bid was being considered, despite Bale’s heart being set on Real.
It was unclear from where such an offer would have emerged, with Paris St Germain — and possibly Manchester United — the only clubs linked to the player with the financial muscle to compete with Real’s record-breaking bid.
United quickly distanced themselves from any suggestion they might be trying to hijack the deal, while PSG did not respond to requests for comment.
Manchester City also possess the clout to meet the asking price of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy but, like United, they insisted they had made no such move.
Former Spurs star Gary Lineker was among those to express scepticism over claims of a second bidder, posting on Twitter: “Always the possibility of the deal falling through, medical etc. But go to another club? I suspect Mr Levy may be playing games.”
News of a tug-of-war for Bale’s services would arguably benefit Spurs as they and Real put the finishing touches to the transfer of the 24-year-old, who is still expected to be formally unveiled in a grand ceremony at the Bernabeu, potentially within the next 24 hours.
Levy is renowned for driving a hard bargain, especially when he feels he has little choice but to sell a player he wants to keep.
His decision to travel to Madrid for face-to-face talks with Real president Florentino Perez was seen as a tactic designed to get the highest possible fee for Bale.
Despite reaching an agreement in principle, there were still concerns at Tottenham yesterday over the precise schedule of payments, which will be made in three stages.
They have offered Real the carrot of receiving a significant discount on the total fee if they meet those payments early but have also insisted upon punitive clauses if the Spaniards are late.
Spurs have played hardball in securing bank guarantees from Real having earlier been doubtful of the funding of the deal.
There was also lingering anger on Monday at Real’s decision to erect a stage at the Bernabeu to present Bale as long ago as Friday and seemingly offer No 11 replica shirts with the Welshman’s name on it, both of which were seen as disrespectfully premature.
Real played away to Granada on Monday night and are at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in what is now expected to be Bale’s debut appearance.
The fee for Bale will beat the £80m world record Cristiano Ronaldo set when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 although it falls short of the £103 million Spurs were at one time quoting to let Bale go.
It had been expected Tottenham would delay releasing Bale until they had secured replacements but there was always a will not to let this one go down to the wire.
Having missed out on Willian, after the Brazilian attacking midfielder opted to move to Chelsea for £30 million Spurs are hopeful of signing Erik Lamela from Roma for around £26 million.
The Argentina winger’s agent was said to be in London on Monday, with the player expected to follow in the next 24 hours all being well.
It is hoped that Spurs will add another forward player, with Zenit St Petersburg’s Hulk a possibility if a fee closer to £30 million can be agreed — although that remains a problem.
They have also reached agreement to acquire the 23-year-old Romania central defender Vlad Chiriches from Steaua Bucharest for around £8 million.
Tottenham also explored with Real the possibility of a cash-plus-players deal involving Bale.
The club reasoned that a pile of money in the bank was no good to them if they were going to weaken their squad.
However these talks broke down after Real’s valuation on their players — also including winger Ángel di Maria — was deemed too high.
Spurs then set about ensuring they secured players they wanted such as Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Étienne Capoue — and Willian before that fell through — to add to Paulinho.
