Gareth Bale

[Chelsea? 892]

RM are after the biggest names, and he isn't one of them IMO. There's no doubt he's a world class player, though.

I'm pretty sure he's among the top 25 popular players in football right now. That should be considered big name. AS it stands, I'm sure more people know of Bale than they do Rues, Riberry, and he is probably on the same level as Hazard in terms of popularity.

[LAM09 7,043]

I'm pretty sure he's among the top 25 popular players in football right now. That should be considered big name. AS it stands, I'm sure more people know of Bale than they do Rues, Riberry, and he is probably on the same level as Hazard in terms of popularity.

I beg to differ, but each to their own.

[yuvala 2,167]

I'm pretty sure he's among the top 25 popular players in football right now. That should be considered big name. AS it stands, I'm sure more people know of Bale than they do Rues, Riberry, and he is probably on the same level as Hazard in terms of popularity.

I actually think that maybe Reus and Riberry are more high profile.

[DH1988 1,348]

Ok so these are rumours about United, slowly gathering pace for a few months now, reports said that Bale wants a new contract at RM, blah blah blah but Madrid want Reus - typical Madrid but in all seriousness IF it did happen that United spanked £120m on him or even what Madrid paid for him £80m, how can they actually afford that + wages and have any money for other signings? They sure as hell can't sell anyone for more than £10m, thats being generous.

I know as Chelsea fans we cannot really moan about spending money but those days are gone since FFP apparently came in and it seems only a few teams are actually trying to get into line with it completely.

[Hamilton 2,120]

Don't ask where they got it but one newssite over here are saying we offered 130m ...

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

Don't ask where they got it but one newssite over here are saying we offered 130m ...

Don't even have 70m to spare let alone 130m due to FFP...unless Eden is heading the opposite way.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Ok so these are rumours about United, slowly gathering pace for a few months now, reports said that Bale wants a new contract at RM, blah blah blah but Madrid want Reus - typical Madrid but in all seriousness IF it did happen that United spanked £120m on him or even what Madrid paid for him £80m, how can they actually afford that + wages and have any money for other signings? They sure as hell can't sell anyone for more than £10m, thats being generous.

I know as Chelsea fans we cannot really moan about spending money but those days are gone since FFP apparently came in and it seems only a few teams are actually trying to get into line with it completely.

FFP only affects teams that a) try to sign players they can't pay for try to sign deals backed by their owners through subsidiaries.

United has plenty of cash my guess if Bale came in they'd probably get help from Adidas and a few other sponsors.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Don't even have 70m to spare let alone 130m due to FFP...unless Eden is heading the opposite way.

I would guess that any transfer fee of that ilk would be amortized over 3-5 years and I would also guess that Adidas would chip in along with any other sponsors. If a top player in terms of notoriety wants to come to a big club in England FFP it will happen. Now if you want to argue that getting Bale would severely damage Chelsea's ability to get 3-4 top notch players then I absolutely agree.

[CMS 382]

I wouldn't pay 20 million for him. Besides, Chelsea does not need him.

[iseah100 5,612]

I wouldn't pay 20 million for him. Besides, Chelsea does not need him.

Really? Thank god you aren't running Chelsea.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Really? Thank god you aren't running Chelsea.

You think we need him?

[Victor Von Doom 258]

Of course we'd need Bale. He's a RW w/ end product!!!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Need a new defence? Spend 120m on a forward. Chelsea of 2010-2013, is that you?

Of course we'd need Bale. He's a RW w/ end product!!!

See above quote ^.

[Victor Von Doom 258]

See above quote ^.

Yh, we need a defender. Doesn't take away the fact we also need a productive rw, which is what Gareth Bale is

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Yh, we need a defender. Doesn't take away the fact we also need a productive rw, which is what Gareth Bale is

There are better options that £100m+ Bale. Not that I denounce his qualities, but I'm sure our scouting department would come up with more options for the right-wing (let's hope they are identifying this area to strengthen).

If Bale was between £20-30m, then it would be a sound investment. But Bale offers no returns.