Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly set to launch an outrageous €200 million summer approach for Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale.
Spanish publication Don Balon have claimed that the Premier League duo are set to break the world transfer record in spectacular fashion in order to convince Real Madrid to part with their prized asset.
Gareth Bale left the Premier League as a superstar, but has now become a brand at Real Madrid. His exploits at club levels were matched with a historic European Championship campaign with Wales, which established Bale as one of the top players in the world of football.
There were reports of unhappiness in the Los Blancos dressing room surrounding Gareth Bale, which brought about rumours of an exit, and perhaps a return to the Premier League. Manchester United, who were rejected by the Welshman in favour of Real Madrid in the first place, have emerged as a suitor for his services.
However, the 27-year-old ended speculation of an impending exit by signing an extension at the Santiago Bernabeu, renewing his contract till 2022 with a bumper weekly wage of £250,000. Bale’s numbers this season have reflected his importance within the Real Madrid squad.
Seven goals and four assists in 16 appearances in La Liga and Champions League combined make for good reading, especially considering he missed the last couple of months of action due to an ankle injury. The injury does not seem to have had an effect on his suitors though, with Chelsea and Manchester United eyeing a summer move for the Welshman.
As per the report, the Premier League duo are convinced that they can land Bale with a mammoth €200 million bid for the player in the summer. The aforementioned fee would make Gareth Bale the most expensive transfer in footballing history for the second time in his career.
Chelsea do need attacking reinforcements, with Diego Costa likely to leave in the summer if not in January itself, and Bale would definitely represent an upgrade on Costa.
Both Chelsea or Manchester United have the financial strength to launch such a bid, but an important point worth considering is whether Perez will be interested in selling the 27-year-old.
It looks like it will depend on whether Real Madrid are able to land the likes of Paulo Dybala and other prime targets in the upcoming transfer window. Even then, Bale’s status at Real Madrid may be of paramount importance to Perez.
