What next for Gareth Bale?
Published:
The Welshman could quit Real Madrid this summer
Rewind a few years and Gareth Bale had the world at hisfeet.
After setting the Premier League alight, he earned his dreammove to Real Madrid, where he’s won four Champions Leagues and one La Ligatitle.
But a combination of injuries, clashes with managers and an apparent disinterest in football has seen his career begin to stagnate. He may still be a key player for Wales – who are 80/1 outsiders for Euro 2021 glory – though he’s no longer feared as he once was.
Bale’s been linked with a move away this summer, assumingfootball gets back on track following coronavirus, and we’ve taken a look atwhat his next step could be.
Return to England?
Bale enjoyed a stunning final season at Tottenham beforeleaving in 2013 and if he could rediscover his form, fitness and desire of old,every top Premier League club would happily break the bank to sign him.
With his explosive pace and his ability to score fromanywhere, he was capable of winning a game by himself.
But save for the occasional moment of magic, those days seemto be behind him and reported attitude problems, mounting injury issues andextortionate wages will undoubtedly put most suitors off.
And where would he even fit in?
Liverpool’s front three are arguably the best in the worldand Jurgen Klopp has no intention of replacing them, particularly for somebodyon the wrong side of 30.
Manchester United and Chelsea have adopted a differentphilosophy under new leadership, opting to promote youth products and buyplayers with potential, rather than splashing out on marquee players withlittle sell-on value.
Manchester City won’t risk signing an injury-prone playerhaving struggled without Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane for the majority of thisseason.
And with their impending Champions League ban, they may notbe able to attract Bale without a place in Europe’s headline competition, whichwould likely rule out Arsenal and former club Spurs as well.
China
The Chinese Super League became a viable option for talentedplayers in recent years following an influx of money and Bale was linked with amove to Asia in January.
But the government have introduced a wage cap of£49,000-a-week for foreign players, which has seen many European-based playerscome back.
The eye-watering wages were the main draw for upping sticksto a league with less quality so he’s unlikely to consider uprooting his lifeand moving to China for such a significant pay cut.
Stay at Real Madrid
Let’s face, Bale is living the life in Madrid.
He’s on good money in a hot country, with golf coursesgalore. And he’s still playing reasonably regularly for Real.
With two years left on his contract, he’s probably not in ahuge rush to leave and while he’s fit he’ll always be the first name on theteam sheet for Wales.
A move would only materialise if he was forced out or if hereceived an offer that was impossible to turn down. He’s previously been linkedto other top European teams, including Bayern Munich and PSG, but they’d haveto move on one of their higher earners before committing to signing Bale.
And with the state of football currently up in the air, it’sbecoming increasingly likely that Bale will still be a Real Madrid player nextseason, whenever that may be.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
