Why Gareth Bale Is Not a Realistic Transfer Target for Tottenham Hotspur
Two years ago today, Gareth Bale played his last match for Tottenham Hotspur.
The Welshman's 89th-minute winner in the 1-0 defeat of Sunderland was typical of so many of his 26 goals that season. Spectacular and timely, often rescuing them in a time of need (though the Black Cats strike was not enough to overhaul Arsenal in their final-day battle for fourth). That 2013 form confirmed his status as one of world football's best young talents, consequently cementing Real Madrid's interest in taking him away.
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With Bale's stay in La Liga possibly on the verge of disintegrating (see above), talk of a move back to the Premier League is increasing by the day. While their former hero returning to White Hart Lane would delight the club's supporters, the 25-year-old is not a realistic transfer target for Tottenham.
Certainly not right now anyway.
Bale leaving Real Madrid is by no means a certainty anyway. The ambition and professional pride which encouraged him to test himself at the Spanish giants—where he played a pivotal role in their Copa del Rey and Champions League successes in his first campaign—will not be easily undermined by one iffy year.
Every issue is magnified tenfold at a club where the all-consuming desire to win manifests itself in ridiculous dramatics and often counterproductive expectations. Despite being made a scapegoat by the especially hysterical among their fanbase (he was abused after last week's loss to Juventus, per the Telegraph), Bale has still scored 19 times and set up a further 11 goals this season, as tallied by ESPN FC.
As Bleacher Report's Sam Pilger points out, that is comparable to Chelsea's Eden Hazard. A man whose work has seen him win both the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year awards.
The world's most expensive player may not have delivered as big and undeniable a return in his second year as some at the Bernanbeu may have liked. But that is at least partly down to the group's failings as his own. Softer at the centre without the departed Xabi Alonso and the injured Luka Modric, further forward the greater dominance of the brilliant but single-minded Cristiano Ronaldo has not always been conducive to a team ethic.
Bale's performances for a happy-looking Wales setup during their recent European Championship qualifiers is testament to the quality he is capable of producing when establishing a strong collective is prioritised. He netted twice as Chris Coleman's side won a tricky away match at Israel 3-0 in March, a result which leaves them joint top of Group B with Beligum and on track to reach their first major tournament since 1958.
Real's hierarchy would be—putting it bluntly—stupid to cut their ties with a player who delivered as impressively as he did in the aforementioned 2014 finals. In a report suggesting Bale does intend to stay in Spain, the Guardian's Jamie Jackson also quoted the strong backing he got from the club's President Florentino Perez:
"We would never listen to any offers for Bale no matter what the bid was. He is a unique player who has already given so much to the team. He is the key to the club’s future, just like I cannot imagine a future without Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Asked about Tottenham taking Bale back at last week's pre-Hull City press conference, the Daily Express' David Wright reported head coach Mauricio Pochettino smiled and continued analysing the ex-Spur's situation within Real Madrid's star-studded attack.
A former Argentinian international with substantial experience in South America and Europe, Pochettino evidently understood the level where Bale's immediate future likely lays. Ambitious young stars do not give up a gig as good as a starting role at Real Madrid without a fight. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti also backed up the notion discussed by Pochettino that Bale's football issues are more of a team concern than an individual one (see below).
In the event logic is forsaken and Real Madrid sell Bale this summer, the biggest obstacle to him returning to north London is not necessarily a reluctance to join a team out of the Champions League.
His time at Tottenham was, after a tough and injury-hit first couple of years, mostly a joyful one. The prospect of returning to the place he established himself to help Pochettino's youthful team become genuine Premier League contenders might appeal. Playing a leading role in turning an underachieving club into a successful one is not on the resume of too many of his peers.
Then again, Bale's already has a gig as a talisman for an underdog with Wales. Having got his taste of success at Real, the quickest route back to winning might be preferable if he moves on.
The biggest reason why bringing an available Bale back is not realistic for Spurs right now is the enormous difficulties it would take agreeing a deal with his current employers.
Four years remain on his contract and, despite the doubts Los Blancos would need to even contemplate selling him, they would not be inclined to let a big name in his prime go cheaply. The £85.3 million they paid for him might not be matched, but a fee way north of £50 million would almost certainly be demanded.
Tottenham could possibly put together a deal, but it would require a considerable outlay which would hold back player-spending elsewhere. Not to mention the possible sacrifice of one of their current stars to tempt Real's hand (goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, for instance).
Given how Chairman Daniel Levy milked Perez for every penny he could when Spurs sold Bale (and Luka Modric too), it would not be a surprise if the Real head honcho chose to return the favour were roles reversed. Or perhaps not even go that far, instead preferring to scupper possibilities of a reunion from the off.
"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye," Bale told the club's official website when he left. "We've had some special times together over the years and I've loved every minute of it."
Circumstances might one day see Bale and Tottenham come together again to create some more memories. Just do not count on it being anytime soon.
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