The transfer window hasn’t even opened yet and we’ve already got a contender for the most implausible transfer rumour of the summer. Caughtoffside.com have reported that Manchester United are looking to bring both Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale to Old Trafford in order to shore up their midfield. This would leave Tottenham without two of the players that have brought them such success this season and would only further add to United’s debt.
The suggestion is that United are looking at replacements for midfield veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs and that Sir Alex Ferguson views these two Spurs men as the ideal candidates. The article goes on to suggest that both players might be keen to make a move if, as is looking more and more likely, Tottenham fail to qualify for Champion’s League football next season.
But no matter what happens this season, Spurs will fight to the death to keep hold of their most important players. Harry Redknapp won’t be willing to lose the likes of Van der Vaart and Bale without a fight. The suggestion that Harry would be willing to sell two of his best players to a team that represents an obstacle to any future success at his club is even more preposterous.
That’s before we even get into the financials of the situation. Gareth Bale, the Professional Footballer’s Association Player of the Year has driven up his price-tag this season and is worth around £40-50m. Van der Vaart has also had a fantastic campaign and has racked up 12 goals and 8 assists. As a result he’s sure to have more than doubled his price-tag of £8m from last summer.
If Manchester United were to somehow get both players they’d have to offer Tottenham somewhere in the region of £60-70m. That raises a question: where on earth would Sir Alex find this cash? Given the situation at the club, United simply don’t have the financial clout to offer that kind of money to Spurs.
Furthermore, given that Tottenham would likely turn down such an offer if United were to make it, I’d say that this rumour has no chance of becoming reality. It’s just another story built around a headline designed to pull in punters.
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So true. Can’t see them coming to Man United. I think, this transfer window will be pretty much like last years. Even so, if SAF can get another gem like Hernandez, I will be pleased
bollox
Dear Bank Manager, I know we are £750,000,000 in debt but can we have £50,000,000 to but Bale and VDV from Tottenham? Why have you hung up?
Bale worth £40-50m? Are you high? He had a handful of good games last fall, and one high-profile hattrick against Inter, but has been exposed as a one trick/one-footed pony since then. This is good for Spurs though- nobody will offer their valuation so they will keep him by default, at least until he asks for a transfer this summer or next.
while the glazersre a the club, utd will get worse over the coming years. revenues through sponsorship deals and rising gate recipts will ensure that they just pay off the intrest and skimm off the top with dividends, thus leaving little to invest in players bought in. they say utd has a 150m in the bank for signings, this is absolute crap. that money would be paying off debt or lining pockets. look at the last financial report, sold ronaldo,reached champions league, won league, massive attendance, high end sponsorship deals = still an overall loss!! worrying.