Gareth Bale

[tototoner]

after the Goat's latest info I think he needs his own thread

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...top-of-barcelonas-shopping-list-3112054.html?

IN what appears to be the opening shot across the bows in one of the summer's biggest transfer stories, El Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona-based daily sports newspaper, has reported that Barça have targeted Tottenham Hotspurmidfielder Gareth Bale though are not willing to pay the £36m (€45m) valuation put on the player by his club.

As reported by Telegraph Sport's Matt Scott last month, the club’s technical department, led by sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, considers the 22 year-old Bale to be the perfect long-term replacement for Eric Abidal, who recently underwent a liver transplant.

The club’s chief scout, Albert Valentín, checked out Bale’s performance for Tottenham in the 3-1 win at Fulham last November, when the Welshman set up Aaron Lennon for Spurs’ second goal.

Bale, though, is contracted to the north London club until 2015 and manager Harry Redknapp last week rubbished reports linking the Welshman with Barcelona. "I wouldn't think there is the slightest bit of truth in that [Bale joining Barça]," Redknapp said. "Not a chance, I wouldn't have thought."

The Spaniards, though, believe that Bale would offer them quality and pace while providing them versatilty with him able to play at left-back or on the wing while, at 22 years-old, remains young enough to give a decent return should he move on beyond the Nou Camp.

Barcelona, El Mundo Deportivo reported, also believe that due to Wales being unlikely to qualify for a major international tournament in the near future, Bale will remain less injury-prone and fresher for domestic duties.

With Tottenham's involvement in next seasons Champions League under threat from Chelsea who could take England'squalifying spot from the north Londoners if they beat Bayern Munich in Saturday's final in Germany, Barça will be monitoring the situation closely.

Bale, like team-mate Luka Modric, is keen to compete in Europe's premier club competition and the lure of Champions League football with one of the biggest clubs in the world would be difficult for the player to turn down.

Barça are hoping Bale follows in the footsteps of Javier Mascherano and Cesc Fàbregas who both switched from thePremier League to La Liga in the past two summer transfer windows from Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

 

[KentuckyYid]

If they're unwilling to pay 36m they definitely won't be willing to pay the kind of figure Levy would demand.

 

[jedimonkey]

I'm not believing that our valuation of him is £36m, especially we turned down more for Modric from the Shite.

Struggling to think who is going to be able to afford the £40m+ that it would take for DL to agree to the sale.

City and who else?

 

[Mr Pink]

lol...they're not willing to pay x amount is so irrelevant its laughable.

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Cant see it myself. Even if he wanted to go I cant see Levy letting him go. Let's be fair, WHY THE FUCK SHOULD WE LET HIM GO?

 

[hughy]

Am I crazy for saying I'd take £34m from a non-PL club for him? I honestly think he's the kind of player we could cash in on, and replace. Modric is irreplacable, Bale isn't.

 

[Roynie]

Frankly this sounds like lazy reporters trying to unsettle the team. Bale has mentioned in past interviews that at some point in the future he would like to play at RM or Barca, but at the moment he was happy learning his trade at Spurs.

Personally I don't believe it, and Levy said in his press released before the fulham game that Spurs were not going to let their best players go. So for me BULLSHIT!

 

[chkthfc]

Why worry??? Nothing we can do.

 

[danielneeds]

I'm not going to lose too much sleep over this. If he goes, he goes. Levy will get top, top dollar. I still think he has one more year here.

 

[Mr Pink]

I'm not going to lose too much sleep over this. If he goes, he goes. Levy will get top, top dollar. I still think he has one more year here.

I agree. To be honest I would love it if he stayed but if he was to be sold it would be way over the odds for him.

Bale is obviously a huge talent, but he isn't consistent enough, yet, to be considered in the top bracket of players IMO.

 

[mattyspurs]

He won't go, Levy won't let him. But you know what, I'm past caring anymore.

If players can't see that we are in the cusp IMF something potentially great here, then what's the point?

 

[besty55]

He was born to play for Spurs. This aint happening.

me missus is very good mates with Danielle, Jake Livemore's partner. The message has gone in to see if this news can be verified because quite frankly I want to watch the CL final knowing that if we beat Chelsea we are in the champs league and I will continue to see number 3 terrorize people

 

[Mr Pink]

He won't go, Levy won't let him. But you know what, I'm past caring anymore.

If players can't see that we are in the cusp IMF something potentially great here, then what's the point?

Yeah its how I feel as well Matty. Transfer speculation regarding our best players use to really wind me up, now its like water off a ducks back.

 

[rawhide]

Yawn...

Looks like its started early again.

 

[worcestersauce]

Not this year.

 

[Montasura]

He was born to play for Spurs. This aint happening.

me missus is very good mates with Danielle, Jake Livemore's partner. The message has gone in to see if this news can be verified because quite frankly I want to watch the CL final knowing that if we beat Chelsea we are in the champs league and I will continue to see number 3 terrorize people

Personally I think he is more likely to go than Modric.

In saying that I think DL needs to publicly make his stance clear early on. If I were him I would let the whole world know that if any club is willing to pay a minimum £40m for either player then I am willing to listen....otherwise don't waste your time or mine picking up the phone....end of.

Simples

 

[steve]

I think he wants to go to a world powerhouse club probably Madrid or Barca maybe even Man Yoo...his comments this season have given that away a bit....but it won't be this year unless someone pays £50m or more...

 

[beats1]

He's not going Barca and if he wants to go Man Utd why didn't sign in the first place but imo he would go Madrid or even Juve

 

[SamR]

I met Gareth's aunty and uncle on holiday last week. From what they say he seems a really nice lad! If he goes I think it be 100% his agent pushing him on for the money as he loves it at spurs(based on their thoughts).

 

[kaz Hirai]

yep might as well close. the boy is going no where, even if he want's out. Levy made it that clear, and now we know he means it when he says it, especially since bale and modric have long contracts unlike berbatov and carrick