Marca went with their go-to Real Madrid transfer story on Friday: ‘Operation De Gea’ has started, and they believe a deal will go through this time.
As part of the story, the Spanish newspaper claimed Jose Mourinho is interested in James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata. Neither seem obvious fits for Manchester United right now, and both are expendable at Real Madrid, so it’s all rather convenient.
However, there is another Real Madrid player who could be just what Jose Mourinho needs, and that man is Gareth Bale.
Yes, of course, we’ve all been here before. Bale was destined to take over from Ryan Giggs, then set to move from Tottenham to Manchester United, and every summer he’s been at Real Madrid there have been claims of a potential deal.
That’s all quietened now, perhaps through boredom, but now more than ever the rumour should be simmering.
What could Gareth Bale do for Manchester United?
Now used to playing mainly on the right, Bale can play anywhere across the front, and even on the row behind. Juan Mata has been Manchester United’s main man on the right of the attack this season, and Bale offers so much that the Spaniard doesn’t.
A more potent attacking threat than Mata, Bale could bring added urgency, which would help several Mourinho tactical plans, not least when he needs to counter-attack. Building himself a bigger physical edge with work done since moving to Spain, Mourinho would have another ‘big’ player.
Going through an injury troubled season, Bale has started 17 La Liga games, scoring 7 goals and adding 2 assists. Last season he started 21 league games, contributing 19 goals and 10 assists.
In his last Tottenham Hotspur season, Bale scored 21 Premier League goals.
Even if all of Manchester United’s options on the right have their statistics combined, they’d struggle to match such figures.
With a genuine positional flexibility, Bale isn’t restricted to that one role, and provides a valuable variety of options.
But isn’t he now injury prone and a liability?
What’s mainly troubling Gareth Bale right now is his calf, it’s an injury which keeps returning, and that’s probably because he keeps being rushed back. It’s been speculated in Spain that it’s related to his longer lay-off, but nearly every time Bale is rushed back there’s another issue.
Throwing Bale into El Clasico was a reckless gamble which didn’t pay off, but it did bring wider focus on the player’s fitness situation. Footballers are often ‘blamed’ for being injured, as if it’s something they’ve done wrong or a personal fault, and this situation has weakened, even if only slightly, Bale’s Real Madrid status.
If Manchester United are confident they could manage the situation better, and that a summer off rather than one playing for Wales would make a difference, then it’s not a reason to abandon the idea.
How can Real Madrid be convinced to sell?
Manchester United have David De Gea, and whilst his value wouldn’t be close to that of Bale, it’s a way into talks. Money likely wouldn’t be fatal factor for Edward Woodward and co., and a transfer would break records.
Should the narrative continue in Spain that Bale picks up too many injuries then it’s conceivable a transfer could be packaged as Florentino Perez getting one over on Manchester United.
Isco has a pressure lobby backing him for more games, and the rise of Marco Asensio is important for Real Madrid. Perez may struggle this summer to get the big bucks he requires to save his blushes over James Rodriguez, and another throw of the dice season, without Bale, could help save that particular mess.
Interestingly, Marca today published the results of a fan survey, asking which players should start. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were the ones to lose out… to Isco and Marco Asensio.
What about Bale himself?
If the Welshman says no, then that’s it, but if Madrid are keen then it will impact his decision making.
Turning 28 years of age in July, Bale is entering the prime of his football career, but is also maturing as a man. Whilst reports of the Bale family being homesick have been around since he arrived in Spain, and usually inflated or fabricated, taking everyone back to the UK could have a growing appeal.
Winning the Champions league twice, the Copa del Rey, and the FIFA Club World Cup, Bale certainly hasn’t been a Madrid failure and adding a La Liga title this season could round it all off.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the undoubted star at Real Madrid so if it’s considered the 32 year old has at least 2 more years left at the club, he’ll continue to be chief peacock until Bale is nudging 30 himself.
The chance to be a club’s star player must be a temptation, and something Manchester United could undoubtedly sell to Bale.
There’s every chance Bale feels his fitness situation has been mismanaged, and is, at the very least, irritated by the situation. The slant right now in Spain regarding his injury is negative towards the player, rather than questioning of the club, and it’s understandable if that’s caused an annoyance.
Such disgruntlement could be encouraged and acted upon.
Maybe it’s the perfect time and circumstance
Gareth Bale to Manchester United was always going to be rumoured this summer, it’s transfer tradition, but, more than in recent years, the pieces seem to fit.
There’s a chance Real Madrid could consider a sale, given their player options and the current mood around Bale. Manchester United have the need, the money, and also a way in through David De Gea.
Edward Woodward: Your time is now.
