The latest transfer rumour has emerged and it’s huge: Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale could be set to make a move to Manchester United. Jose Mourinho is thought to be very keen on buying the Welshman, but would he fit in?
I would not go as far as to say Florentino Perez is having buyers’ remorse over the great Gareth Bale quite just yet, but he is certainly getting close. The Welshman began his career in England, coming up through the Southampton system.
Other than Theo Walcott, Bale remains the youngest footballer to play with the side at just 16 years of age. Fitting with the uncanny ability of Tottenham to recognize and develop young talent, the London club snatched the young Bale from the Saints on a 4-year deal in the summer of 2007.
In 2013, the European and global football market was temporarily revolutionized with the then-world record transfer fee of over $80 million that saw Bale move from the Spurs to the Spanish capital to officially become the newest Galactico. When Los Blancos made the move for the Welsh winger, they were planning for the future. Madrid knew then, and certainly know now, that the days of Cristiano Ronaldo are coming to pass.
However, everything has not necessarily gone according to plan for Bale and for Real Madrid. His time as a Galactico has been marred by injury problems. His most recent injury is his 17th since joining the side. However, this has actually proven to be less of an issue for the resourceful Madrid club than it would be for other clubs who do not possess the same financial ability or depth.
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Young offensive players like Isco, Marco Asensio, and Lucas Vazquez have proved very effective in the absence of the star winger. With Bale’s lack of availability and nagging fitness issues, it does not seem that he is going to inherit the throne Ronaldo currently holds as Perez once thought he could.
In the north of England, there exists a football club with exorbitant financial resources and a desperate need for an offensive cornerstone to build around. Not to mention, the Devils are in the process of finding young, talented replacements for aging players like Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and the recently injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Other than Zlatan’s consistent goal production, the young attacking duo of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are the only forwards showing signs of life for the future of United’s ability to score goals.
Jose Mourinho has addressed the holes in the midfield quite well, with the play of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba being solid this season. Juan Mata has occasionally filled in to play on the wing. But, due to his pace and ability to create plays, he is a much better fit at right midfield.
"I think the ideal signing would be Harry Kane – but I don’t think United will get him. But Griezmann and Bale, I think these are the players that can take United closer to winning the Premier League. – Phil Neville, TalkSport"
Gareth Bale would slot in perfectly on the right wing, providing a force that could open up scoring opportunities down the middle for Rashford and Martial. Of course, Bale has the talent to create space and goals all on his own. He could be the offensive cornerstone that Mourinho needs to really be competitive in England.
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The Catalan periodical Diario Gol reported that Bale has reached a “verbal agreement” with the Manchester giants, and that Bale claims Champions League football is “essential”. Mourinho’s evident interest in seeing Bale return to the Premier League is completely dependent on United’s expected Europa League triumph. For the dream move to manifest, only Ajax stand in the way.