Gareth Bale and Real Madrid reportedly remain a way off agreeing a new contract, with the demands of the player said to be too much for the European champions, although not for Manchester United.
That’s according to OK Diario (h/t Sport), which has suggested an extension has yet to be struck, with Los Blancos unwilling to pay the Welshman an annual salary exceeding €10 million (£8.38 million).
Interest from the Red Devils is also noted, with the player’s agent Jonathan Barnett said to have advised Real that the Premier League side would be willing to offer a whopping €20 million (£16.76 million) wage. OK Diario (h/t James Benson of the Daily Star) added United have already been in touch with Bale's representative about a switch.
Bale moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Madrid in the summer of 2013 and has become a huge hit at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
In his three previous years at the club, the 27-year-old was key to Los Blancos winning the UEFA Champions League on two occasions. Under manager Zinedine Zidane, Bale is a crucial part of a formidable attacking setup, as he links up superbly with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
As Squawka Football noted recently, since making the move to Madrid, Bale has been a regular contributor in the final third:
ON THIS TRANSFER DAY: In 2013, Real Madrid signed Gareth Bale from Spurs for £85.3m.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 1, 2016
125 games, 60 goals. pic.twitter.com/lUtVIQdSlQ
Indeed, Bale cuts a contented figure in the Spanish capital and a new contract worth £350,000-a-week has been agreed between the Wales international and Madrid, according to Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express.
However, recent reports would suggest that story is premature, and United have already shown in the previous window that they’re willing to pay big money to bring in the best players in the world.
Paul Pogba’s move to Old Trafford was for a world-record transfer fee of £89 million, surpassing the £85.3 million Madrid paid to bring the ex-Spurs man to LaLiga.
According to Benson, United manager Jose Mourinho would have no problem sanctioning a similar big-money deal to lure Bale back to the Premier League.
There would be obvious benefits for Bale if he was to return. In terms of finances, he’d evidently be paid a handsome amount, while the chance to be a star figure at a team like United would also be tempting.
Here is a look at what he’d potentially add to Old Trafford and why the Red Devils would most likely have to break the transfer record again to get him on board:
It would be a big surprise if Real were to agree to a sale of their No. 11, even if he was keen to move on. Not only is Bale a vital member of the squad, he’s evolving into the team’s talisman. Of course, Ronaldo is usually the player on the end of chances, but the Welshman grabs the game by the scruff of the neck in the final third.
That will not have escaped those in the Spanish capital, and they’ll likely be keen to keep their star man placated. United have the financial muscle to test Real’s resolve, but when it comes to their best players, if Los Blancos don’t want to sell, they don’t sell.