Spurs edge out Man Utd in Bale race

Posted on 25. Jan, 2007 by Milox in La Liga, Premiership

Tottenham have moved decisively ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Southampton whizzkid Gareth Bale, according to reports in Thursday’s national newspapers.

Bale appeared to be set on a move to Old Trafford, but his head has been turned after two days of talks at White Hart Lane.

Bale has reportedly been promised regular first-team football at Tottenham next season, and a long-term contract on a sliding pay scale.

Southampton are thought to have accepted Tottenham’s Â£10million bid for the highly-rated Wales left-back, with Bale set to be loaned back to the Saints for the rest of the season.

Manchester United remain hopeful of landing the youngster, with Sir Alex Ferguson set to watch Bale against Manchester City in the FA Cup this weekend. But the Red Devils have yet to come back to Southampton with an improved offer after having an Â£8milllion bid knocked back.

Matthew Le Tissier, Southampton’s last free-kick specialist, feels Bale should continue to learn his trade at St Mary’s rather than bench-warming at a bigger club.

“I would advise Gareth to stay for the benefit of his career,” said Le Tissier.

“Gareth is an amazing talent and, of course, bigger clubs are interested in him. But look at Theo Walcott.

“He’s getting the odd run-out but he’s not playing week-in, week-out, and at that age you need games to continue your learning curve.

“Gareth is playing every week in a hard league and he should continue to do so to add to his football education.”

No related posts.

25 Comments

Ricky

25. Jan, 2007

Yes, listen to Le Tissier…stay at the small club.

Look what it did for his career!!!!!!!!!

Don’t make the same mistake Le Tissier did and turn down Spurs.

[Reply]

David Hollinshead

25. Jan, 2007

I would like to know how a long term contract has been agreed when local reports state that the longest a player of his age can agree is a 1 year extension to the 18 months that he already has?

Bale has played half a season for saints if he goes its because his parents wantt h money now. What hope to any club have of progressing if they cant(by he regulations of the game) play young players that they have produced themselves.

Clubs will simple not give them a chance till they can agree a longer deal.

I dont think that loyalty like le tissier will ever happen again (even at a HUGE club like spurs)but to go from hoping for a chance in the first team then leaving after half a season is rediculas.

Dave

[Reply]

Transfer Talk: No Luque Again, No Gooch for You, No Ruud Welcome - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world

25. Jan, 2007

[...] Another day, another million trees killed to print stories about Gareth Bale. The story today is that Tottenham are on top of the race to spend outrageous sums on a talented and unproven 17-year-old. [...]

nrfhsvzx

01. Feb, 2007

nrfhsvzx…

nrfhsvzx…

aentqjtx

01. Feb, 2007

aentqjtx…

aentqjtx…

Phentermine side effects.

11. Apr, 2007

Phentermine side effects….

Phentermine side effects….