Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!

[alastair]

Picture the scene.

Spurs miss out on the CL this year again, whilst we scrape in. This summer we sign Cavani and some top midfielder and we push for the title next year. Meanwhile, Spurs enter a decline, finishing 8th and look destined for eternal mediocrity. Bale gives it another year out of loyalty but is looking for a new challenge.

But he has a small child to look after, and the old mining villages of the north don't appeal, Barcelona have Neymar, and being a galactico at Real Madrid just doesn't suit him. He wants a bit of stability in his life.

Out of contract and looking for a new challenge, he picks up his phone. It's Arsene with the special phone call he used on Ramsey and Cazorla. His dulcet tones give Gareth goosebumps. He quivers as Wenger describes the five year plan and reels off a list of former great Arsenal left wingers in whose illustrious footsteps Bale would be stepping. It's a done deal.

The next morning. Voila. Campbell-esque. Ape-ish grin on one side, Arsenal shirt in his hands on the other, Bale poses for his first photo as our new talisman, and leads us to a magnificent title.

 

[MikeUpNorth]

Picture the scene.

Spurs sell Bale in the summer of 2014 to Madrid for £45m. He gets found out somewhat playing for a big club, and is a good but unspectacular player.

Spurs continue to float around 4th-6th each season. As do Arsenal.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Why would Spurs sell? You need special players if you want to be regulars in the champions league and compete for the league. ...

Well, you're right - I don't think Levy wants or needs to sell. But every club and player has their price, and if a mind-boggling sum is offered ...

 

[Plechazunga]

Well, you're right - I don't think Levy wants or needs to sell. But every club and player has their price, and if a mind-boggling sum is offered ...

I stay. Here, I am happy. But in football, you never know. Some nights, when is raining, I dream of Madrid. But I stay.

Why with Gareth is always bulimic?

 

[Relevated]

Does he believe in God?

 

[adexkola]

You realise there's now probably at least six immensely wealthy clubs who are right now seeing Bale as THE signing they want. None of them are going to want to piss Levy off and risk losing out, so a figure as low as £40m won't even be the opening bid ...

... because there's no question he's the hottest property in world football.

The world has gone mad when Bale is sold for 40 million or more.

 

[FlawlessThaw]

Picture the scene.

Spurs miss out on the CL this year again, whilst we scrape in. This summer we sign Cavani and some top midfielder and we push for the title next year. Meanwhile, Spurs enter a decline, finishing 8th and look destined for eternal mediocrity. Bale gives it another year out of loyalty but is looking for a new challenge.

But he has a small child to look after, and the old mining villages of the north don't appeal, Barcelona have Neymar, and being a galactico at Real Madrid just doesn't suit him. He wants a bit of stability in his life.

Out of contract and looking for a new challenge, he picks up his phone. It's Arsene with the special phone call he used on Ramsey and Cazorla. His dulcet tones give Gareth goosebumps. He quivers as Wenger describes the five year plan and reels off a list of former great Arsenal left wingers in whose illustrious footsteps Bale would be stepping. It's a done deal.

The next morning. Voila. Campbell-esque. Ape-ish grin on one side, Arsenal shirt in his hands on the other, Bale poses for his first photo as our new talisman, and leads us to a magnificent title.

Straight from the RAWK textbook, you sure you aren't a Liverpool fan?

 

[Brwned]

You realise there's now probably at least six immensely wealthy clubs who are right now seeing Bale as THE signing they want. None of them are going to want to piss Levy off and risk losing out, so a figure as low as £40m won't even be the opening bid ...

... because there's no question he's the hottest property in world football.

It's baffling you think he's a "hotter property" than Gotze or Neymar. You really do fall for the PL hype hook, line and sinker.

 

[adexkola]

Man, I'd take Bale over Neymar.

 

[Tomuś]

You realise there's now probably at least six immensely wealthy clubs who are right now seeing Bale as THE signing they want. None of them are going to want to piss Levy off and risk losing out, so a figure as low as £40m won't even be the opening bid ...

... because there's no question he's the hottest property in world football.

I'm afraid you're somewhat buying into the British media hype. People outside the shores don't value him as high, believe me. I can only see two clubs paying the mind-blowing 60 that was mentioned earlier - City and Real. You can probably scratch City as well, seeing as they prefer different wing men.

None of top European clubs (excl. Madrid and some Russian oil money loaded teams) will be willing to pay over 40. Not considerably more than that anyway.

As for the English teams, you won't get £60m or even £50m from United you can be sure of that. Chelsea? They've recently splashed rather big on Hazard and Roman, despite this season's transfers, has calmed down a bit. I don't think they would be that desperate for such typle of player / position he plays at. Arsenal? I think you know the answer.

But still, if you think £40m won't even start negotiations, who am I to disagree.

EDIT: I'd also like to know who those 'at least six immensely wealthy clubs' are.

 

[bosnian_red]

You realise there's now probably at least six immensely wealthy clubs who are right now seeing Bale as THE signing they want. None of them are going to want to piss Levy off and risk losing out, so a figure as low as £40m won't even be the opening bid ...

... because there's no question he's the hottest property in world football.

As good of form he is in right now, he's not worth more then 40m, and I'm pretty sure if a bid like that came in that it would be accepted.
Also he is just not the hottest property in world football. Have you not heard of Neymar or Gotze? Both way more talented, arguably as good and younger. And those 2 are worth 40 million right now.

 

[Widnes]

As good of form he is in right now, he's not worth more then 40m, and I'm pretty sure if a bid like that came in that it would be accepted.
Also he is just not the hottest property in world football. Have you not heard of Neymar or Gotze? Both way more talented, arguably as good and younger. And those 2 are worth 40 million right now.

I'M not sure either of them are worth more than Bale at the moment, both interesting players and potential greats. But anyone who says that Bale is not world class now must have some kind of agenda. He is clearly a very special player and is improving all the time.

 

[Moby]

You realise there's now probably at least six immensely wealthy clubs who are right now seeing Bale as THE signing they want. None of them are going to want to piss Levy off and risk losing out, so a figure as low as £40m won't even be the opening bid ...

... because there's no question he's the hottest property in world football.

Only if we all had access to this sort of confidential information.

 

[Moby]

I'M not sure either of them are worth more than Bale at the moment, both interesting players and potential greats. But anyone who says that Bale is not world class now must have some kind of agenda. He is clearly a very special player and is improving all the time.

He is in good form but it will be better to wait for the season to end before assessing him. If he continues this form till the end of the season, maybe we can call him worth the hype.

Nani has been in better form than what Bale is in right now but I've never heard anyone saying he's worth 40 million quid. But then Nani is not British.

 

[esmufc07]

People are actually discussing a £60m fee for Gareth friggin' Bale. Mental.

 

[OGkush]

The world has gone mad when Bale is sold for 40 million or more.

right, because Bale going for 40 or more is in no way more sane a price than 85 million being spent on two of the PL's now most overpriced players, not to mention generaly enormous amounts of money being spent on stuff that's ultimately completely irrelevant.

Just FYI, I'm not saying Bale is worth 60 million, just that this would highly unlikely be the point where you start to think how absolutely absurd this is.

 

[Fergus' son]

What did Moura go for again? Add ten million on to that and that's what probably what Bale would fetch.

 

[Moby]

right, because Bale going for 40 or more is in no way more sane a price than 85 million being spent on two of the PL's now most overpriced players, not to mention generaly enormous amounts of money being spent on stuff that's ultimately completely irrelevant.

Just FYI, I'm not saying Bale is worth 60 million, just that this would highly unlikely be the point where you start to think how absolutely absurd this is.

You are right that in the current, nothing can be predicted and valuing a player is quite tough. I can myself see Bale going for 40 odd specially if someone like PSG steps in, though I doubt they would as they already have great wingers and Bale wouldn't want to go there knowing he can go to Madrid. But saying he is the hottest property in world football and more valuable than players like Gotze, Neymar etc is sheer madness, and that is what I would is overhyping him. I'd put a higher price tag on Wilshere than him.

 

[OGkush]

You are right that in the current, nothing can be predicted and valuing a player is quite tough. I can myself see Bale going for 40 odd specially if someone like PSG steps in, though I doubt they would as they already have great wingers and Bale wouldn't want to go there knowing he can go to Madrid. But saying he is the hottest property in world football and more valuable than players like Gotze, Neymar etc is sheer madness, and that is what I would is overhyping him. I'd put a higher price tag on Wilshere than him.

I agree that all 3 of the players you mentioned are probably considered to have a higher ceiling and therefore would fetch more money, in any case atleast I'd rather have both Gotze and Wilshere over Bale, not too sure about Neymar as he hasn't done shit in Europe so far (not saying I don't think he can make it, just that it'd be unfair from my point of view).

It is also true though that at this point in time Bale is playing great and scoring lots of goals, he was already hyped up since the Inter game, he's hyped up even more due to playing in the PL and will demand a very high fee should he be priced away from Tottenham.

I won't argue that the amount of money that would be spent on him is absurd, however forgetting the obvious (that the amount of cash spent in general on ultimately irrelevant stuff like this is simply mad), those who honestly think Spurs couldn't squeeze 40+ million for Bale are either in denial about how good and highly rated a player he is, or don't have any idea how money works here.

 

[Hannibal]

If Gareth Bale becomes available tonight, his transfer fee alone would start at £50m. If Andy Caroll can command £35m and Torres went for £50m then Bale would break the transfer record in England. Daniel Levy is a street smart accountant, he would sell to the highest bidder and if Bale continues in this form - Madrid might come for him.....

 

[Ruud10]

Summer of 2013: Ronaldo to United and Bale to Real.

 

[Mockney]

I'm still waiting for that towering levitational 13 yard header.

 

[gaffs]

I think it would take £60mil+ to take him from Spurs.

 

[gaffs]

He is in good form but it will be better to wait for the season to end before assessing him. If he continues this form till the end of the season, maybe we can call him worth the hype.

Nani has been in better form than what Bale is in right now but I've never heard anyone saying he's worth 40 million quid. But then Nani is not British.

When was Nani in this kind of form? 6 goals in 4 games.

 

[kouroux]

Some great goals he scored too gaffs

 

[Swaters16]

I think it would take £600mil+ to take him from Spurs.

Oh yeah definitely. No doubt about that. He's the best left sided player ever.

 

[Jimy_Hills_Chin]

Picture the scene.

Spurs sell Bale in the summer of 2014 to Madrid for £45m. He gets found out somewhat playing for a big club, and is a good but unspectacular player.

Spurs continue to float around 4th-6th each season. As do Arsenal.

Picture the scene

United sign Bale for £47.5m in the summer, he scores 30 goals in the 2013/14 season; United comfortably retain the title and make it to the Champions League final. United get dicked by Barcelona, again, as Michael Carrick gets swarmed in midfield for a 3rd time unlucky. The Red Cafe 'we need a new midfielder thread' does great business.

 

[Freak]

Picture the scene

United sign Bale for £47.5m in the summer, he scores 30 goals in the 2013/14 season; United comfortably retain the title and make it to the Champions League final, but get dicked by Barcelona again as Michael Carrick gets swarmed in midfield for a 3rd time unlucky. The Red Cafe 'we need a new midfielder thread' does great business.

Picture the scene

Madrid sign Bale for £50m in the summer, Ronaldo comes back to United; United comfortably retain the title and make it to the Champions League final, and dicks on Barcelona. The Red Cafe 'we need a new midfielder thread' never rears its head again as we no longer need a midfield with Ronaldo, Rooney, RVP and Kagawa up top.

 

[Successful]

Things are working out for him at the moment. He's probably worth about £25-30m at the moment. We should bid.

 

[Lawman]

Picture the scene

United sign Bale for £47.5m in the summer, he scores 30 goals in the 2013/14 season; United comfortably retain the title and make it to the Champions League final, but get dicked by Barcelona again as Michael Carrick gets swarmed in midfield for a 3rd time unlucky. The Red Cafe 'we need a new midfielder thread' does great business.

I'd be very happy with this scenario no shame in winning your league a getting to the champs league final.

 

[Lawman]

The world has gone mad when Bale is sold for 40 million or more.

No it has gone mad already footballers on £250,000 a week whereas nurses struggle to get by. Andy Carroll sold for the price of 2 hospital wings. Football is already out of touch and the man in the street is suffering it won't last forever but in the present climate Bale will go for 45-60 million depending on the demand. Suitors will be City Chelsea Barca Madrid we would probably like him but not affordable these prices.

 

[finneh]

I'm afraid you're somewhat buying into the British media hype. People outside the shores don't value him as high, believe me. I can only see two clubs paying the mind-blowing 60 that was mentioned earlier - City and Real. You can probably scratch City as well, seeing as they prefer different wing men.

None of top European clubs (excl. Madrid and some Russian oil money loaded teams) will be willing to pay over 40. Not considerably more than that anyway.

As for the English teams, you won't get £60m or even £50m from United you can be sure of that. Chelsea? They've recently splashed rather big on Hazard and Roman, despite this season's transfers, has calmed down a bit. I don't think they would be that desperate for such typle of player / position he plays at. Arsenal? I think you know the answer.

But still, if you think £40m won't even start negotiations, who am I to disagree.

EDIT: I'd also like to know who those 'at least six immensely wealthy clubs' are.

If it were known that Bale wanted to move i'd say at least us, City, Chelsea, Real and PSG would be interested, potentially Bayern and Barcelona too.

The bidding would start at around £40-45m.

 

[Carl]

Spurs will be in the CL next season so it's no use even discussing it as he'll stay at Spurs.

After a good CL campaign however...

 

[Drifter]

Strange how some are still refusing to acknowledge Bale , draw those claws in ,and witness a great player who will get better.

 

[Ronnie O'Sullivan]

Straight from the RAWK textbook, you sure you aren't a Liverpool fan?

He's probably rawk's resident arse too!

 

[Proud_Lyon]

Strange how some are still refusing to acknowledge Bale , draw those claws in witness a great player who will get better.

It is probably due to the fact that he is a British player. However, if he had been Brazilian, Spanish or Portuguese then, this thread would have had 20 times the number of posts by now.

I am a Lyon supporter, but when you witness not just one free-kick going in, but two in the same match, you have to ask yourself why? Is it bad goalkeeping, in which case this can be attributed to about 75% of all free-kicks scored including Juninho, Cristiano or even Pirlo. Or, you could say that he has the ability and it needs to be acknowledged. Other players score free-kicks in the same circumstances and say it was a brilliant free-kick, a British player scores one exactly the same and it is a goalkeeping error. I think we need to lay off him.

 

[Anduin]

I genuinely believe we are two signings away from challenging Barca: Bale & Wilshere. No hope in hell to get the latter, but come on Fergie, sign the Welsh fecker. I couldn't give a shit if it costs £40m, Bale and United would be a match made in heaven. He's only 23 now and would give us 10+ years of service, who cares about Rio's transfer fee nowadays?

 

[Carl]

Strange how some are still refusing to acknowledge Bale , draw those claws in ,and witness a great player who will get better.

Indeed. It's odd. When he really burst onto the scene that season they were in the CL everyone on here was going mad for him. Then he got so popular it became e-cooler to say he was overrated instead. Since then there's been this refusal to acknowledge his ability.

He's class and better than anything we (or anyone else in the PL) have on the wings. Would love to have him at United.

Won't happen though. If he goes in the next 18months I honestly believe he'll cost upwards of 50mil.

Personally I think he'll stay though. The price tag is enough to put clubs off plus plus Spurs are improving and he's the star there.

 

[Goooose]

Spurs will be in the CL next season so it's no use even discussing it as he'll stay at Spurs.

After a good CL campaign however...

Can you remember the last time he played in the CL? Isn't that when all the Hysteria started?

 

[RedRover]

He is in good form but it will be better to wait for the season to end before assessing him. If he continues this form till the end of the season, maybe we can call him worth the hype.

Nani has been in better form than what Bale is in right now but I've never heard anyone saying he's worth 40 million quid. But then Nani is not British.

When? Give us some examples.

Spurs are a aone man team at the minute. He's winning games on his own.