Unsurprisingly, City boss, Roberto Mancini, has announced his undying love for Gareth Bale and touted him as ‘Europe’s strongest target’.
The talismanic midfielder has been in immense form this season and impressed with outstanding performances against some of Europe’s elite.
As a result, his value has sky-rocketed and transfer speculation has been rife. Bids of £50million have been touted for the Welsh international but Spurs appear unwilling to sell.
Reports from Italy have linked Bale with moves to Juventus and Inter Milan but now Italian coach, Mancini, has declared his admiration for the 21-year-old.
“Last year Bale had already proved his value but his career had not yet taken off,” Mancini told Tuttosport.
“Now you would need a lot of money. He is a very expensive player. Certainly, Juve with Bale would gain a lot.
“Moreover, what is certain is that if Tottenham decides to put him on the market, Bale would be the strongest target in the summer.
“Perhaps he is the only player who is not a striker that can make a difference. Without him, Tottenham loses 50 per cent of their potential.”
Money-rich City would certainly have the resources to finance a monster bid for the winger come the summer, but it would be unlikely that Spurs would opt to sell to a Premier League club. The Welsh International also has another three and a half years remaining on his contract too, allowing Tottenham to price their talisman out of the market.
Bale’s future may depend on the future success of Spurs, if the club do not start to deliver silverware, the speedy winger may look elsewhere for success. However, the 21-year-old has also declared that he has ‘no interest’ in leaving Tottenham and insists that he is happy at White Hart Lane.
With City wingers winning all the plaudits down at Eastlands, it may be hard to see why Mancini would make a move for Bale. That said, should an opportunity arise where they could purchase the in-form midfielder, the City boss may find it too tempting a prospect to turn down.
Follow Matt Visser on Twitter @Matt_V_Football.
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Yeah, that`s right, Spurs are actually that stupid enough to sell him to a direct competitor for a top four place.
Yu should have stopped after: “..it would be unlikely that Spurs would opt to sell”
Blimey. A year and Mancini has caught tapping-up flu already from SAF. Must be something in the air in Manchester.
50 Million, is that the first installment?
This statement should help you Today Platini reiterated his new rules about Clubs having no trading dept or they will be stopped yes stopped from entering the Champions league. He has made this statement to remind big spending clubs like Man City they cant spend money that’s not earned the expert who was on the radio said City have127 million deficit and will not be allowed in the Champions league so Spurs could finish 5th and still enter the champs so buying Bale wont be in any top teams price bracket only the well run Arsenal and Bayern in the Germany
Are you seriously stupid? That particular ruling doesnt come into play until the end of 2012 however looking at this rule and looking at platini’s last 4 statements on this matter, it appears that only 2 clubs in the current premiership can enter the champions league based on this particular ruling, these being arsenal and blackpool as everybody else is buying! Also we may have a deficit of 127million however spurs are not to far behind with a current 86million deficit. Before you know all the points dont bring up irrelevant factors.
If City buy Bale in the summer I will flick my eyes out with a teaspoon.
Mancini was asked about Bale going to Juventus. Would you rather him say “Bale is sh*t”?
If it was a tapping up, it wasn’t a SAF-style one. It was more of a Harry Rednapp-style “Bale’s a ‘triffic player, just ‘triffic”.
At the end of the days spuds fans… how are you going to stop us if we want him? fairplay rules mean nothing if mansour can sell season tickets to his friends for £50 million a go do they? deary me, spurs getting into the top 4 last year was a fluke, dont depend on new regulations to get you in there again, it shows you have no confidence in your team
Ranking Club Debt
1. Manchester United £716m
2 .Chelsea (Limited) £701m
3. Valencia C.F £501m
4 .Liverpool £351m
5. Real Madrid £296m
6 .FC Barcelona £273m
7. AS Roma £271m
8 .Schalke 04 £234m
9. Arsenal £203m