Why Madrid needs to break the bank for Gareth Bale
After years of being the outcast, Gareth Bale recent impressive display for both Wales and Real Madrid shows why the winger wants more money.
According to OK Diario, not only hasn’t Gareth Bale penned his new contract offer from Los Blancos, but the Welsh international isn’t close to signing it.
The club is reportedly offering the winger £10 million, but Bale wants £17 million, which is one less than Cristiano Ronaldo.
With Manchester United rumors swirling, Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has confirmed that the Red Devils are interested in the Welshman services and would offer £20 million.
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Bale, 27, is entering his prime and could very much make 2016-17 Real Madrid team his own, but is that plausible with Cristiano Ronaldo on the roster?
Last campaign saw Bale as Real Madrid’s most dangerous player on the flank with Ronaldo being prolific as ever in front of goals. The Portuguese star’s evolution from a pacy winger that destroyed defenses week in and week out, towards relying on his teammates to formulate scoring chances is well documented.
In April of last season, Bale displayed why he has usurped Ronaldo as the club leader. Although he appeared in less La Liga games (23 vs 31) than the previous season, he assembled more goals (19 vs 13). The winger single-handedly powered Madrid to 3-2 victory against Rayo Vallecano, after being down 2-0 and returned the following weekend to score a sublime winner against Real Sociedad.
With Ronaldo inability to exploit fullbacks, Real Madrid’s hopes lies in Gareth Bale’s hands. The former Tottenham Hotspur play-maker manipulated the wings generating scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
One trophy that’s eluded Bale since his arrival to the Spanish Capital is winning La Liga.
“It’s important we win the league this year because it’s been a long time since we last won it,” the Welshman said during Wednesday’s event organized by Adidas.
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“That’s our focus this year although we want to win every trophy, including La Liga. I’m excited about our game with Osasuna, they will make things difficult for us but it’ll be fantastic because we’ll have our full team available.
“In Madrid we dream about winning everything and when we enter any competition we want to win it, the cup, the league, the Champions League, we want them all,” Bale added
The Catalans have inherited the league cup six of the last eight times, while city rival Atletico Madrid last claimed the trophy in 2014.