Nobody was surprised when reports surfaced linking Gareth Bale to Manchester United this summer. Ever since the Welshman moved to Real Madrid in a world-record £85.3million deal four years ago he has been connected with a Premier League return, and Old Trafford is invariably the mooted destination.
For his part, Bale has always maintained that he is happy in the Spanish capital and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, has labelled the latest claims surrounding his client’s future at “a ridiculous, stupid story.”
But Marca reports that, if Real want to sign Kylian Mbappé this summer, they will have to sell Bale, with Chelsea and, once again, United named as viable suitors.
The 28-year-old winger may not be ready to leave La Liga, but there is a growing possibility of that choice being taken out of his hands.
Valued around the €100million mark, Bale’s recent injury struggles have caused many to question whether the Red Devils should still be pursuing the former Tottenham Hotspur superstar, feeling that other, more reliable options exist.
But none possess Bale’s quality. Even with his fitness concerns, United have to move for him if they get the chance.
NO BETTER OPTION THAN BALE
José Mourinho has stated openly his intention to add four new players to his squad ahead of the 2017/18 campaign. With three arrivals already in the bag in Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelöf and Nemanja Matič, a wide attacker is next on his agenda.
United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan‘s Croatian winger Ivan Perišićfor several weeks now. However, talks between the clubs have reportedly stalled over the Italians’ insistence on receiving at least £49million for the 28-year-old while also demanding the inclusion of Anthony Martial on loan.
The former Borussia Dortmund wideman is a fine player – arguably Inter’s best performer last term – and offers the kind of natural wing play that United don’t possess.
But he’s not on Bale’s level.
Bale is now a three-time Champions League-winner; in his 100 La Liga appearances he has scored an incredible 54 goals – the kind of return any out-and-out striker would be proud of.
Dynamic pace, a powerful and accurate striker of the ball with his left-foot, a threat from set-pieces and inventive in the final third; Bale is a one-man attacking Swiss army knife.
He’s versatile too, able to play on either flank or centrally as a No.10, comfortable as the outlet in a counter-attacking system while also having the nous and creativity to unlock a stubborn, deep-sitting defence – all attributes that make him ideal for Mourinho’s side.
What is perhaps more attractive than anything when it comes to the possibility of signing Bale for United is his ability to take a team on his shoulders and carry them forward.
Just over a year ago, Bale was the catalyst for Wales’ remarkable run to the semi-finals of the European Championships in France, scoring three goals and acting as the Dragons’ superstar talisman.
Too often last season United were found wanting when faced with resolute opposition, especially at home. With defences sitting deep and refusing to budge, belief inside Old Trafford would ebb away as the Red Devils ran out of ideas and regularly slipped to drab draws against inferior teams.
The onus was often on record signing Paul Pogba to provide the creative spark, and the Frenchman was a reliable supply line for the forwards. But it was a big ask for the 24-year-old, still developing and acclimating to his new surroundings, to step up every single week.
Bale would help take some of that pressure off Pogba, in addition to offering another target for the ex-Juventus player in advanced positions, and one who knows all about tearing apart Premier League defences.
Bale left England in 2013 as the best player in the Premier League. If he were to return this summer he’d assume very similar standing.
In purely footballing terms, Bale is a no-brainer for United. There can be no doubt that his quality and experience at the very highest level could be transformative for United; his arrival would instantly have the 20-time champions aspiring to a first league title since 2013.
There is only one misgiving: his injury record. With recurring muscular issues, the Madrid No.11 was restricted to just 27 appearances in all competitions last season, down from the already low figure of 31 from the campaign before.
At 28, it is unlikely that these problems will completely disappear, and the remaining years of his career will be a careful balancing act, managing his workload and the strain his body is placed under.
There was a feeling last term that Bale was rushed back from injury too soon, eager to play and demonstrate his worth – not least because Isco had performed so well in his absence. That can’t be the case going forward; he must be given time and afforded patience if his is to recapture his best form.
But if United can get 30 games a season out of the Welshman, he could prove invaluable. If used selectively and rested when possible, Bale’s contribution domestically and in the Champions League could be a real game changer for Mourinho’s men; Bale can do more in 30 games than most players can do in 60.
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