Gareth Bale - Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea or Real Madrid?
Good young talent is hard to find - good young talent in England is even harder to find, so the fact that Gareth Bale is coming along nicely for Southampton AND is 18 months away from the end of his contract is of great importance to a host of clubs in the Premiership (and beyond, if you put on your ridiculous rumours hat).
But who wants Bale, and who will ultimately get him, are two very different questions.
Southampton
Offered Bale a new contract (he has 18 months left in his old one), but apparently the Welsh wonder has refused to sign it. Rumours only, I’m sure (of the refusal, not the new contract).
Chances of staying: Possible for January, but he’s surely leaving once July comes.
Manchester United
More attractive option than Liverpool (yes, I’m biased), have a bigger network of clubs to give Bale experience in and will probably send him out on loan for an year or so.
Have the money to tempt Southampton, and the financial clout to out-muscle the competition (assuming Chelsea isn’t interested and the Real Madrid rumour is just a rumour).
However, Heinze is just 28, Evra 25 and both look to be solid long-term prospects. Bale won’t be needed for another 2 years, at least.
Chances in January: Slim.
Chances in July: Moderate.
Arsenal
Linked because of Theo, because of Wenger’s policy to nurture young talent and because Arsenal wouldn’t mind cover at the left-back spot (Gallas is a centre-back, remember?).
If they have money to spend, I’d guess that they’re going to spend it somewhere else, so Bale isn’t a priority and they don’t seem to have enough funds for more than 1-2 buys.
Chances in January: None.
Chances in July: Not likely.
Tottenham
Linked with a lot of young players as they try to buy their way into the Champions League (by buying young talent, it must be added). A serious contender because they can offer Bale an earlier starting spot as compared to some of the other clubs, and have the money to pay high wages as well. If Bale wants to go to London, Spurs are at the top of the pile.
Then again, Tottenham have been linked with a lot of players (and I’m not putting much faith in the supposed bid made by Spurs for Bale).
Chances in January: Possible.
Chances in July: Possible.
Liverpool
With Fabio Aurelio and Riise in their ranks, where would Bale play? If, like United, they’re investing in the future I doubt that they have the money to prise Bale away from Southampton (or to challenge a bid made by Tottenham or Manchester United).
Chances in January: None.
Chances in July: Slim.
Chelsea
An ideal recruit for Chelsea, if they can manage to farm him out for a couple of years (or even one) and then replace Bridge with Bale. Thing is, a left-back is not even third on their list of targets (striker, central defender, right-back are priorities).
Chances in January: Slim.
Chances in July: Moderate.
Real Madrid
You’ve got to be kidding me, right? This is absolutely ridiculous. You don’t take a 17-year old kid from Southampton, put him up in Madrid alongside Raul, Cannavaro and Robinho and expect him to settle in 
If they do (they wont), Bale gets loaned out again.
Chances in January: None.
Chances in July: Slim.
Newcastle United
After Tottenham, the only club that can offer to fast-track Bale into the first team (despite David Edgar shining against Manchester United). Would be a smart target too, but if Newcastle are going after defenders wouldn’t they hit Brown and Silvestre first?
Plus will Bale really want to go to injury-stricken Newcastle?
Chances in January: Possible.
Chances in July: Moderate.
Final Verdict
It’s only a matter of time before Bale moves on from Southampton. At present, only Newcastle and Tottenham can offer Bale first-team appearances next season. However, Manchester United have the champions league (and perhaps the title of Premiership champions) to offer, so do Chelsea.
If Bale waits till the summer, a big club will surely get him. If he moves now, he could get some valuable Prem experience, or he could just be shunted about on loan.
My money’s on Bale waiting till next summer, or maybe tying up an agreement with United / Spurs / Chelsea to take him on in the summer.
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Discussion - 14 Responses
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I’m not surprised you don’t have any other responses. All of your arguments are poor. Why can’t a player from a club like Southampton go to a big european club? Didn’t Robbie Keane go from Coventry to Inter Milan when he was young? Just because he’s young and Southampton aren’t fashionable, doesn’t mean it is impossible that the deal would happen!
Regarding Liverpool, you obviously have no clue. Aurelio plays left mid. He has played left back but the fans and possibly Rafa now too don’t fancy him at left back. Riise plays left back but Rafa played him left mid left year and would be keen to have that option again. Warnock is our cover at left back and there is talk of him going to Blackburn as part of the Lucas Neill transfer or to Sunderland on loan. Therefore it’s not inconceivable that we would be interested in an obvious young talent like Bale in that position.
As for Liverpool not having the funds of spurs etc, what planet are you on???? Do you not check the news??? We are in the process of a takeover with a company owned by one of the top 5 richest people in the world. But Tottenham have a few quid eh?
Joker.
I am an Arsenal fan, and find it quite amusing that you are discounting us very quickly. I would say that we are probably 2nd favs behind Utd to land Bale.
Looking at Wengers unchalenged success with youngsters and the fact that we have Theo (formerly of Southampton) would put us up there with anyone in terms of gaining his signature. Money is not everything as it was demonstarted with Theo, and he would get an oppertunity with us as we only have Glichy as a natural LB. I think you can discount Chelsea, purely for the fact that he is young and talented which means he will sit in the reserves for 18 months and then be loaned to Portmouth/Charlton or West Ham.
But agree that there will be an interesting battle in the summer to sign him.
MAN utd Fav? liverpool no hope…cos of Riise, warnork and Aurelio. Riise is being monitored by Rafa, Warnocks off, Aurelio is more Midfeild than Left back, and Man Utd Evra, Heinz, Oshea, Silvestre..ummmm. Being Liverpool Fan id say Arsenal and Tott are the favs, both can muster the 6m fee and have no left back cover
Liverpool have signed Insua, a 17 year old Argentine left back. He’s tipped for a first team berth sooner rather than later. You have no idea.
what do you mean “biased”? You are comparing Liverpool to Manutd……and im sure u beein a Manutd fan have written that Liverpool are less attractive. Just because Manutd are doing well this season doesn’t mean their the better option.
All along Gareth Bale has been linked with Arsenal and i certainly wouldnt mind us getting him - he will certainly be given more of a chance at Arsenal than at liverpool or united since Arsenal needs a quality backup for Clichy.
Another player who i wouldnt mind is Tristan Plummer.
The Real Madrid one is ridiculous because they just bought 18 year old leftback Marcelo and gave Roberto Carlos a contract extention SO how much sense would it make to buy a third left back?
Mark - I think you have missed the point here. Robbie Keane was anything but a success at Inter (he warmed the bench for most of the time, though had a great relationship with Moratti). In any case, Real are not interested in Bale as they have spent 5 million on the 18 year-old Marcelino, seen as the long-term replacement for Roberto Carlos. You missed that, Ahmed.
@mark
“We are in the process of a takeover with a company owned by one of the top 5 richest people in the world”. DIC is buying ‘pool,not Mr Maktoum,and if u like hordes of scousers are relishing the idea of ur club walking the abrahmovich lane,i suggest u think again,for DIC this is an investment they want substantial returns from,for roman its a past time..
And for those calling the author biased for suggesting utd are a more attractive destination than l’pool,take of ur thick scouser glasses and ull see the glaring truth in his argument.
…I’ll be cool
Gareth Bale = sounds like “Christian” Bale = sounds like “Cristiano” = Man Utd player - obviously he’s coming over to Man Utd
I await the ‘new’ Cristiano
Too Cool…
No Hugo, I think you are missing the point. I didn’t state that Real Madrid would be front runners to sign Bale. I just stated that you can’t rule them out as being a ridiculous possibility just because they are Real Madrid and Southampton are poor little Southampton. If Real have signed somebody else as long term then fair enough, rule them out (although surely Roberto Carlos has a limited shelf life and they’d be looking to replace him in the squad soon?). Although either you or Jake is lying to me about who it is Madrid have signed.
But my general point was that the author’s piece was a very poor argument. I don’t pretend to know where Bale will go.
ok, lets look more logically,
Heinze looks set to leave for juventus asfter falling out of favour, o’shea now plays as a holding midfielder and silvestre a centre half (also expected to be leaving).
Arsenal have only cliche, and from what i have seen of the two players, personally i believe Bale is already ready to compete for his place.
Tottenham have Young-Pyo Lee and signed 22yr old Assou-Ekotto in the summer, however, Bale no doubt would command a strong argument for a place in the side.
Liverpool have Rise and Aurelio, hence you would expect them to strengthen elsewhere.
Newcastle would definately be interested as they are currently playing academy players however have Babayaro and resigned Bernard however Bale would be instant and long term cover.
Chelsea have cole and Bridge. say no more!
Real are not often linked with british players so must have considered making a move. did they not have 4 or 5 top strikers when they signe owen?can not be discounted but seems unlikely.
What about portsnouth?doing well in the league, redknapp is ken on youngsters, cole, ferdinand, carrick, lampard, johnson…..They anow have the funds?!?!?!however Traore may scupper that idea!!!!
personally i think the in january man u, newcastle and tottenham will be the top takers, with arsenal mounting a big bid in the summer. surely bale will wan to go to united or the gooners?
Bale will go to Utd not because Utd are winning games this season, but because they’ve always been a team with an attractive and romantic appeal about them; besides, Giggs is Welsh, just like Bale. It’s only logical for a teenager to link-up with his countryman for the prupose of settling in and feeling at home. That way, Bale would express himself and improve under the guidance of Sir Alex.
i am a liverpool supporter and we need to buy sum decent youth and with riise now are only decent left-bak with aurelio playing left mid we could do with signing bale he would be a very good recruit for now and the future..and as for funds we are getting a massive take over so tht shud come in handy also bellamy being a top welsh player could persuade him to join a big club like liverpool