Speaking recently on the Football Writers Podcast, Anne-Marie Batson discussed the rumours around a potential return of Gareth Bale to Tottenham Hotspur, and how unlikely she believes the deal to be.
Since joining Real Madrid from Spurs in what was then a world-record deal back in 2013, the 31-year-old has gone on to make 251 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 105 goals and providing 68 assists.
However, despite scoring crucial goals from Real Madrid over his seven-year spell with the club, including a sensational solo effort which saw Madrid defeat Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final, as well as a brace in the club’s 3-1 defeat of Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, Bale has found himself phased out at the Santiago Bernabeu, making just 20 appearances in all competitions last season.
Reports by Spanish publication Marca have claimed that Madrid are no longer willing to keep the Welshman at the club beyond this summer, and, subsequently, rumours began circulating regarding a potential return to Spurs for Bale.
However, Batson recently stated that she does not think this is something that will happen in the near future.
She said: “I’m perplexed by the whole Gareth Bale thing. His agent, Jonathan Barnett, consistently and repeatedly says that he is not going anywhere.
“The thing for me though, very quickly, is that if he’s a competitor, he will want to go out and play. I cannot imagine that he would just want to sit there just watching game after game after game. I think Spurs fans would love Bale to come back and [for Daniel] Levy, £17 million, that’s a steal for Gareth Bale. But he’s not worth that, and I think if you’re going to buy him, buy him for his worth.
“So, as much as the Spurs fans would love him to come back, I don’t think that’s going to happen. The thing is that he would need to take a significant pay cut. Again, I don’t think that’s going to happen. So I think there will be some chancers out there who will put some bids on the table, but I can’t see him leaving Real Madrid.”
Would you actually like Bale to make a return to Spurs?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
From Baston’s comments, then, it would appear she is very much of the belief that Bale will not be leaving Spain this summer, regardless of the fact that reports have stated Madrid want to be rid of the player and that Spurs are interested in bringing their former star back to the club.
For now, we will have to wait and see whether or not there is any further movement in the situation surrounding the £25.2 million-rated Bale’s future.