OPINION
Tottenham fans won’t know whether to laugh or cry at Guillem Balague’s revelation about Daniel Levy’s bid to end Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid nightmare.
In a report for BBC Sport, the Spanish football expert and Mauricio Pochettino ghostwriter shared some insight into the future of Bale following the appointment on Monday of Zinedine Zidane as manager for a second time.
Balague explained Zidane “does not want to work with Bale” but his £385,000-a-week wages and valuation of £64million means it will be very difficult to find a buyer for a player who turns 30 in July.
Spurs chairman Levy, ever on the lookout for a bargain, has come up with a shock solution.
It is said by the journalist and broadcaster that Levy has tried to bring Bale back to White Hart Lane “with a one-year loan deal and a payment of not much per week”.
The “cheeky proposal” did not reach the Real Madrid boardroom, as it would have been given short shrift.
What does Levy’s bid say about Spurs’ transfer kitty, and their plans to strengthen a squad that sorely needs a proven winner to take a highly accomplished side to the next level?
The Tottenham chairman of 18 years is renowned for lowball offers, especially when he senses a weakness – as he did when trying to get Jack Grealish on the cheap during Aston Villa’s meltdown last summer – but who is he trying to kid by making such a ridiculous offer for a four-times Champions League winner?
If Levy is serious about getting Bale, he needs to make a proper offer that would bring Real to the negotiating table.
Perhaps around £40million and a salary matching Harry Kane’s with top-up bonuses depending on success. Otherwise, Levy is wasting everyone’s time.