Transfer insider Dean Jones has been discussing Gareth Bale and his future at Tottenham Hotspur heading into next season.
The Welshman has certainly had something of a weird season during his loan spell from Real Madrid.
Despite being seen as a bit-part player for most of the early stages of the campaign, he has still managed to pull out 14 goals and 3 assists in all competitions for Spurs.
No surprise then to see that the club are reportedly interested in bringing him back for another year.
And speaking on the latest edition of Touchline Talk, Jones thinks that given the circumstances surrounding Bale’s contract and the way the club negotiated the loan deal, combined with Bale’s attitude means that it is looking pretty certain that he will be plying his trade in north London next season:
“To be honest, this is almost guaranteed I think at this point. Tottenham do have first option to take Gareth Bale again next season, not only that, they’ve got first option to take him on exactly the same terms that they got him this time around.
“Which to be honest, is unbelievable negotiating from Daniel Levy, and I know that a lot of Tottenham fans get very frustrated with him over his stance on transfers, but the way he dealt with getting Bale back to Tottenham was really impressive.”
“The next manager basically is going to be delivered Gareth Bale I think because Bale’s loving it, he’s become a really integral part of the dressing room, the rest of the lads love him. To be honest, he’s pretty low maintenance considering that he’s such an elite footballer, he’s not got really an ego about him around the dressing room and stuff, he’s glad to be back.”
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TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments regarding Gareth Bale’s future at Tottenham Hotspur
Based on Bale’s recent form, Tottenham would be foolish not to bring him back again next season, especially if they can do it on the terms that they appear to have agreed.
And those terms not only benefit them next season but given that Bale’s contract in Madrid ends at the end of the next campaign, could that leave Spurs in the best position to sign Bale on a permanent deal?
Which goes back to what Jones was saying about Levy. Whilst he might not have the best reputation, if they can get what they’ve got out of Bale and only paying a reported £20m a season, less than half what he was sold for, then it is some pretty astute business from the Spurs chairman.
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