Gareth Bale (Rumour to Deal Done)

[DIEHARD]

I would love it if we get Lamela, Willian and Coentrao and sell Bale. We'd still have another £20-25m or so left over for Eriksen and a CB. We would be so much stronger. Levy should make this happen if he can because we end up a much better side. How anyone can argue otherwise is beyond me.

As far as im concerned it would make our squad depth stronger but not our first 11 - we can only have 11 players playing at once. You get all those players and where would they play in our team in addition to the other signings we made?

I think we do need a right sided forward (I love Lennon - just want his babies but someone else like Willian would help) and a Left Back (as it is obvious that AVB doesnt rate BAE who I also love and want his babies - actually a thressome with myself, BAE and Lennon wouldnt go amiss)

Do we have 40m lying around without selling Bale? I dont know.

 

[SambaSpurs]

I would love it if we get Lamela, Willian and Coentrao and sell Bale. We'd still have another £20-25m or so left over for Eriksen and a CB. We would be so much stronger. Levy should make this happen if he can because we end up a much better side. How anyone can argue otherwise is beyond me.

In my opinion though if we were to sell Bale now it would confirm to me that we'd spent his hypothetical funds in advance on players like soldado and wouldn't be getting all the players you stated. I could see us getting 2 players, coentrao and Lamela or Willian if he goes now.

 

[Spurger King]

Not sure anyone other than Spurs fans sees us as a rival to Utd.

With Bale in the team we really have a brilliant side. I'm not saying we'd finish above United, but we'd certainly be close. Head to head we go the better of them last season on merit, and I'd say since then we've improved more than they have.

 

[pds999]

As far as im concerned it would make our squad depth stronger but not our first 11 - we can only have 11 players playing at once. You get all those players and where would they play in our team in addition to the other signings we made?

I think we do need a right sided forward (I love Lennon - just want his babies but someone else like Willian would help) and a Left Back (as it is obvious that AVB doesnt rate BAE who I also love and want his babies - actually a thressome with myself, BAE and Lennon wouldnt go amiss)

Do we have 40m lying around without selling Bale? I dont know.

If some of the ITK's are to be believed, yes we do.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

With Bale in the team we really have a brilliant side. I'm not saying we'd finish above United, but we'd certainly be close. Head to head we go the better of them last season on merit, and I'd say since then we've improved more than they have.

We have a potentially brilliant attacking side. People are getting very carried away. To me, we look very unbalanced, with a severe vulnerability to even one injury in central defence and several fullbacks who are good, but not quite up to the standard of the rest of the team.

I can see the side, as presently constituted, duplicating quite a lot of the results of late last season: we control possession, mount wave after wave of attack, score 2 goals in nearly every game and drop points because of soft goals conceded from set pieces and as a result of positional inattention.

It's a familiar tic of the transfer window that people get semi-orgasmic about individual attacking players and forget the balance of the side and the depth of the defence. I remain to be convinced that we have either. We have signed some very exciting players, but unless Capoue turns out to be content to play in central defence on a frequent basis and can do it to an international standard, then we'll be in danger of dropping points against patently inferior teams on a near-weekly basis and clean sheets will be few and far between.

 

[DIEHARD]

If some of the ITK's are to be believed, yes we do.

Thats about a 60m net spend (best case of recouping 40m of sales which I doubt) which whilst seems feasible and realistic - I cant imagine we have those funds available unless its the Lewis money or the insurance policy of the Bale money.

 

[DIEHARD]

We have a potentially brilliant attacking side. People are getting very carried away. To me, we look very unbalanced, with a severe vulnerability to even one injury in central defence and several fullbacks who are good, but not quite up to the standard of the rest of the team.

I can see the side, as presently constituted, duplicating quite a lot of the results of late last season: we control possession, mount wave after wave of attack, score 2 goals in nearly every game and drop points because of soft goals conceded from set pieces and as a result of positional inattention.

It's a familiar tic of the transfer window that people get semi-orgasmic about individual attacking players and forget the balance of the side and the depth of the defence. I remain to be convinced that we have either. We have signed some very exciting players, but unless Capoue turns out to be content to play in central defence on a frequent basis and can do it to an international standard, then we'll be in danger of dropping points against patently inferior teams on a near-weekly basis and clean sheets will be few and far between.

Ive been saying it for a while that we are unbalanced. Prima Facie its a great side but actually we still need a Centre back, a Left back and actually a Creative midfielder. Thats a fair amount of money and a fair amount of work between now and the window closing to get those players in.

 

[pds999]

I say we simply have to sell Bale and next week. Go big on Willian and Lamela and look to get Coentrao and Eriksen plus a CB. Frighteningly good squad with no net outlay

 

[Spurger King]

We have a potentially brilliant attacking side. People are getting very carried away. To me, we look very unbalanced, with a severe vulnerability to even one injury in central defence and several fullbacks who are good, but not quite up to the standard of the rest of the team.

I can see the side, as presently constituted, duplicating quite a lot of the results of late last season: we control possession, mount wave after wave of attack, score 2 goals in nearly every game and drop points because of soft goals conceded from set pieces and as a result of positional inattention.

It's a familiar tic of the transfer window that people get semi-orgasmic about individual attacking players and forget the balance of the side and the depth of the defence. I remain to be convinced that we have either. We have signed some very exciting players, but unless Capoue turns out to be content to play in central defence on a frequent basis and can do it to an international standard, then we'll be in danger of dropping points against patently inferior teams on a near-weekly basis and clean sheets will be few and far between.

Actually I've regularly made the point that we need balance, and haven't yet been "semi-orgasmic" about any individuals.

If everyone was fit and willing to play, we could field an extremely strong looking 433. Granted it is another question as to whether they'll adapt quickly as a team, but I'm still very impressed with the squad in general.

It's why Bale's transfer is so crucial. With him we can field a balanced team that includes goals, chances, and power. Without him we're going to be over-reliant on Soldado, and lacking anyone who could do a decent job on the right of a forward 3...unless we can sign someone like Lamela.

Perhaps you're right and I should have stipulated that until we've seen them in a competitive match, they only look brilliant on paper...but when I look at the experience, the versatility, and the qualities, I have every reason to be extremely hopeful.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

I wouldn't be against the sale of Gareth if I had complete faith in Levy and co. buying 3/4 quality players for the squad but I just don't see it happening.

 

[Darth Vega]

Don't United have the No.7 free...

In all seriousness, I can't imagine Ronaldo is happy with Madrid's pursuit of Bale. They have enough competition for places and I'm not sure going hell-bent after Bale exactly shows faith in Ronaldo. Ronaldo has also come out with the classic 'I'm happy for now, but who know's what the future might bring' sort of comment so I wouldn't completely rule it out.

It would see the end of Bale at Spurs, though. There'd be no questions about Madrid having the finances and they'd never sell a player like Ronaldo if they weren't certain that a replacement was on the way. My gut feeling is that this will drag on.

The sooner they implement the rule that ensures the window closes before the season begins the better...

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

Madrid aren't selling Ronaldo, get a grip on reality Jesus Christ.

The whole pursuit of Bale is to offset Barca's Neymar signing.

How does that work if they lose their equivalent to Messi.

Bale will most likely stay with us, they will just give Ronaldo a bumper contract.

 

[johnnyallen]

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says he is not expecting the club to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham this summer.

Madrid have been chasing Bale for much of the transfer window so far, but saw their opening offer of £85million turned down a fortnight ago.

And despite talks between Madrid and Spurs reportedly advancing in recent days, the two clubs are yet to agree on a price, and Ancelotti expects Bale to stay at White Hart Lane.

‘At the moment I don’t think he will be coming to Madrid,’ said Ancelotti.

‘There is nothing new to report at the moment. Bale is a very touchy subject with Spurs.’

The Metro. Not sure if old news.

 

[theShiznit]

Madrid aren't selling Ronaldo, get a grip on reality Jesus Christ.

The whole pursuit of Bale is to offset Barca's Neymar signing.

How does that work if they lose their equivalent to Messi.

Bale will most likely stay with us, they will just give Ronaldo a bumper contract.

I think that's probably why they are holding off on the Ronaldo contract.
To offset any potential "Bale is not coming cos Spurs are being mean" info...

 

[ButchCassidy]

I imagine a big part of why Gareth wants to move to Madrid now is so he can play alongside his idol Ronaldo. If they let him move to MUFC, he might not be as happy having to try to fill those massive boots in front of 100k disgruntled fans at the Bernabeu. It won't happen though, IMO that ship sailed when Fergie retired.

 

[base615]

Not sure anyone other than Spurs fans sees us as a rival to Utd.

Dunno, one of the Guardian writers tipped us to win the league this year. Not saying I agree but if we keep Bale it's not out of the realms of possibility

 

[beats1]

I imagine a big part of why Gareth wants to move to Madrid now is so he can play alongside his idol Ronaldo. If they let him move to MUFC, he might not be as happy having to try to fill those massive boots in front of 100k disgruntled fans at the Bernabeu. It won't happen though, IMO that ship sailed when Fergie retired.

Bales Idol will tell him to do one and its clear he isnt keen on him neither are most of the Real Madrid squad according to reports

 

[ButchCassidy]

Bales Idol will tell him to do one and its clear he isnt keen on him neither are most of the Real Madrid squad according to reports

I agree with you, but with his agent in one ear and Perez in the other I don't think he sees it that way... Yet.

 

[ecce_tottenham]

Bales Idol will tell him to do one and its clear he isnt keen on him neither are most of the Real Madrid squad according to reports

I'm pretty sure his idol won't let him touch a free kick for a year or two.

 

[easley91]

Don't United have the No.7 free...

In all seriousness, I can't imagine Ronaldo is happy with Madrid's pursuit of Bale. They have enough competition for places and I'm not sure going hell-bent after Bale exactly shows faith in Ronaldo. Ronaldo has also come out with the classic 'I'm happy for now, but who know's what the future might bring' sort of comment so I wouldn't completely rule it out.

It would see the end of Bale at Spurs, though. There'd be no questions about Madrid having the finances and they'd never sell a player like Ronaldo if they weren't certain that a replacement was on the way. My gut feeling is that this will drag on.

The sooner they implement the rule that ensures the window closes before the season begins the better...

And Madrid have the number 11 free. It means nothing really.