Interesting story in The Independent that Manchester United are getting ready to enter the Gareth Bale sweepstakes.
According to the paper, David Moyes wants a marquee signing, and the Premier League player of the year would fit the bill.
The problem for United is Daniel Levy. United remember the frustration that came with the eventual signings of Michael Carrick in 2006 and Dimitar Berbatov in 2008 and they are worried that Levy will string them along in order to get a better deal from Real Madrid.
The paper says that Spurs are becoming frustrated with Real Madrid’s approach, with Levy beginning to wonder if the Spanish giants actually have the £110m that he wants for Bale. Which seems a pretty ludicrous thing to think, considering Real Madrid are the richest club in the world.
Levy and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez have had several conversations, but Real Madrid have yet to make the kind of bid that Marca says Bale is worth. And that is frustrating Levy.
Manchester United is right behind Real Madrid as one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the signing of Bale would be a massive statement of intent for the new regime at Old Trafford.
Still £110m is a massive amount of money to pay for anyone not called Messi or Ronaldo. While United might throw in Javier Hernandez into the deal, they will still have to come up with around £90m in cash plus Hernandez to seal the deal.
It is quite remarkable that with basically the same squad that finished 11 points ahead of Man City and 14 points ahead of Chelsea last season, that United are being widely tipped to finish third this coming season. The signing of Bale (plus potentially Fellani) could suddenly make United favorites to win the title again this season.
