Reports from Sky Sports this week indicate that during the transfer of Sergio Reguilón, whose £30 million transfer to Tottenham was announced earlier this week, the Tottenham board had shown a large interest in bringing back 31-year-old Welsh international winger Gareth Bale. It is reported that Tottenham is looking to secure a one-year loan deal and will pay 50% of Bale’s incredibly large wage worth around £600,000 a week.
Bale left Spurs in September 2013 for a world record fee of £85 million after finishing the 2012/13 season as PFA Young Player, Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur’s player of the year. But ever since joining Real Madrid, Bale hasn’t seemed to hit the heights he showed at Spurs. Bale had a successful start at Los Blancos and finished the 2015/16 season with 19 goals and 14 assists in all competitions. As time has passed, Bale has seen himself more and more out of favour in the squad, with his performances on the pitch reflecting the attitude he has shown off the pitch. Bale has seen a dramatic fall in his expected goals and assists, through his xG falling from 14.10 to 4.05 and his xA 8.75 to 1.56 over the last 6 seasons.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has already expressed his admiration of Bale when he was reported saying “I tried to sign him for Real Madrid which was not possible to do during my time there. But the president followed my instinct and my knowledge and the season I left he brought Gareth to the club”.
“There is no secret on [my admiration of the player], I think even Gareth knows that.”
Tottenham supporters should be encouraged by Mourinho’s past interest in the player and during Amazon Prime’s new series “All or Nothing”, which follows Tottenham through their tough 2019/20 campaign, the club’s owner Daniel Levy showed passion and determination for success and the signing of Bale would embody that excellently. However, Tottenham has already had a disappointing start to the 2020/21 season after an opening day defeat at home to a revitalised Everton. Spurs have already signed Dutch international Steven Bergwijn, who plays in a similar position to Bale, last season and he showed much promise over the second half of the season. If the loan deal is to be completed by the club, it will only boost their squad and the battle for places will have a positive effect on morale and confidence.
Gareth could see himself playing as a number 9, if Kane finds himself injured for the long term again, or on the left or right-wing. This versatility would fix the issues Spurs saw last year with many injuries affecting consistent results and his ability to create and score goals will be one to watch out for with Harry Kane looking to get back in the goals again. Tottenham have a tough choice on their hands, there are many positives to this move but his large wage, even at 50%, and other clauses Real Madrid may add, could see Tottenham come short on funds after their new £1 billion stadium seems to have taken a hit on them financially.
With Spurs looking to break into the top 4, do you think Gareth Bale will be the improvement Mourinho needs to succeed?
