The closest we may have come to seeing the Spurs winger in a Red shirt…
As United fans come to terms with the idea that one former North London idol may not be joining our ranks this season, comes the double whammy that another current North London idol wont be joining either.
United’s pursuit of Gareth Bale seems to have hit a brick wall with reports that the former Saints star is staying at Spurs.
The Guardian notes:
The Tottenham Hotspur manager André Villas-Boas has revealed there are ongoing talks with Gareth Bale’s agent regarding a new contract for the Wales international as they attempt to fend off interest from Real Madrid.
Bale has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabéu this summer with reports in Spain earlier this week suggesting the player has already agreed terms on a six-year deal.
But, speaking at the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong, Villas-Boas was optimistic the 24-year-old, who is currently contracted until 2016, will extend his stay at White Hart Lane.
The Portuguese said: “There was contact between the club and his agent last year and there is ongoing contact between the club and his agent.
“We renewed his contract at the beginning of last season, if you remember, and it’s something that is being dealt with by the chairman and the agent.
“Talks are ongoing but that doesn’t mean there is an agreement. At the moment we’re confident that the player is under contract at Tottenham, as was done last year. It’s something that we’re speaking about, but there aren’t any developments.”
This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to Reds as unlike Wayne Rooney, or even Robin Van Persie when he was at Arsenal, Bale has always seemed fairly happy at Spurs, including during this Summer.
It’s easy to criticise one of the world’s best players for not wanting to play Champions League football this season, but at a time when loyalty is a four letter word amongst football players maybe it’s time to just to appreciate his desire to repay his club’s early faith and move on.
‘Bale To United’ Saga Finally Over?
It was never on………………..
And given that Spurs have missed CL qualification the last two years by a combined total of 3 points, maybe he actually believes he’s already with a club that’s within reach of success at a very high level. As a Spurs supporter, I hope so, and I hope the club repays him for the faith. Wouldn’t that be nice?
How can the ‘Bale To United Saga Finally Be Over’ when it was never a story to begin with? There was no way on god’s green and verdant earth that Bale was heading to ManU.
I think your philosophical sentiment about loyalty at the end of your article is spot-on. Well said !!
Bale to United my arse!
Nice article especially the comment about his “desire to repay the clubs early faith”. I don’t see Daniel Levy wanting to sell him to another premiership side when he does eventually leave however. I think that he’ll only be sold abroad.
It will be good if Spurs can keep Bale. It would be nice if the matches in the Premiership were actually genuine contests instead of foregone conclusions. If all the best players go to “the top 4” clubs then the cycle of Man U, Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea occupying the top 4 places albeit in a different seasonal order will be maintained. Fans will look at football in a more cynical fashion as the victories become more Pyrrhic and predictable. Football’s stock will plunge even further and clubs outside the elite will decline. Yes, very fine words about loyalty too. Very thoughtful and constructed article.
Spurs are set to offer 150,000 wages. You can’t doubt the interest.He appears very happy at Tottenham and has a good relationship with the ginger ninja, AVB. The Enfield training Centre opened this season and new stadium breaks ground end of next year. Whatever he decides. WINNING.
Good piece, nice to see, your right loyalty should be applauded, i hope in this case it proves correct
Y wont it be ova wen a low class manager is at d helm of a great club lyk utd.D fct rmains dt wt moyes as manager utd is headn bckward. Bait me
good to be positive…………ask yer dad wat utd were like wen fergie started, hiow close he was to get the sack