Could Gareth Bale Be On His Way To Old Trafford?
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes Gareth Bale is the player who can once again turn Manchester United into Barclays Premier League title contenders, and he would love to see the player making his mark at Old Trafford.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United haven’t given up their pursuit of the Real Madrid superstar, news that surfaced earlier this year and covered by the Inquisitr.
Bale, 26, rejected a transfer to United two years ago, but van Gaal, who is a huge admirer of the Welshman, believes he can entice the winger to the red side of Manchester with the lure of Champions League football. Manchester United recorded a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge this week, a result that all but confirms their place in the Champions League group stages.
United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward believes he can land a big player this summer before the transfer window closes at the end of August. Reported by BBC Sport, Woodward and van Gaal have been in the news this week with rumours of a rift between the two, generated when United lost out on Barcelona winger Pedro to rivals Chelsea.
The Manchester United boss silenced these rumours in a news conference ahead of their game with Newcastle this Saturday.
“Every day I am updated by him and I trust him, I have the idea you want to separate Ed Woodward with me. Never. Never. I don’t think [the critics] have to doubt Ed Woodward because he has proven already for many, many years he is the right person on the right spot.”
The chances of Woodward signing Bale could be slim. Relations between Manchester United and Real Madrid are on fragile ground since the Spaniards are determined to sign United’s first choice goalkeeper, David de Gea. As a result of persistent approaches, de Gea has not been in the right frame of mind to start a game this season.
Gareth Bale moved to Real Madrid in 2013 for a world record transfer fee of £85.3 million (according to English press statistics) and overlooked United during this process. Only two years into his six-year deal, rumours of a transfer have surfaced due to personal problems.
Since joining the club of his dreams, Bale has struggled to settle in Spain. His first season was plagued by injuries, but he still managed 22 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. In his second season, Bale was jeered by sections of the Real fans as a result of “being selfish” and not passing to other, more conveniently placed players. At present, Bale’s partner has moved back to the UK with their daughter while the player is still struggling to learn Spanish.
If this leads to Bale’s appearance in the red of United, only time will tell. However, with United looking dominant once again after a couple of years in the wilderness, and having spent £77.1 million on some heavyweight talent — such as Memphis Depay, Bastien Schweinsteiger, and Morgan Schneiderlin — the lure of success on his home turf may prove very tempting for the Welshman.
Whatever happens with Bale, it should make for interesting reading as the transfer window reaches it climax. United fans have something to be excited about this season — Bale or no Bale — and it doesn’t look to be waning as Old Trafford once again becomes the Theatre of Dreams.
[Photo by Alexandra Beier/Bongarts/Getty Images]
