Despite the recent speculation, Gareth Bale is going nowhere. The Welshman will be staying at Spurs for another season at least. This comes after Chairman Daniel Levy and Bale’s advisors held private discussions to make it clear the player has no intention to leave, and that he was not for sale at any cost. Tottenham making it into next season’s Champions League has no bearing on Bale remaining at Spurs.
In addition, it is understood Bale is currently on over £100k per week at White Hart Lane. Spurs pay Bale a flat rate of around £70k per week, however he earns nearly £125k in endorsements and bonuses from the club. Therefore luring the Welshman away with money is not an issue Tottenham have to face.
Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are likely to test Spurs’ resolve in the Summer, however they will all be rebuffed by chairman Daniel Levy.
United to sell Rooney at the end of this season?
In other news Sir Alex Ferguson could finally be about to get his way, as there is an increasing possibility that Wayne Rooney will be joining Real Madrid this summer in a deal which could potentially see either Angel Di Maria or Gonzalo Higuain go the other way.
Rooney has not been in Ferguson’s good books ever since he publicly announced his desire to leave the club in 2010. In fact, if Ferguson had been allowed to, Rooney would already have been sold. However, Nike a key sponsor of Manchester United put heavy pressure on the club to keep hold of Rooney as he is one of Nike’s biggest assets, and having a top Nike player at a top Nike-backed club is too lucrative to let go.
Recently, increasing tension between Nike and Manchester United over Nike’s kit deal with Manchester City has seen United entertain offers from other kit manufacturers in a bid to strengthen their negotiating position with Nike. This not only means that Nike will have to offer more money to retain United’s business, but that Nike is no longer in a position where it can make demands over who United can buy or sell.
Real Madrid have had a long-standing interest in Rooney, and are one of few clubs around the world who are able to match his wage demands. PSG have expressed an interest, and it remains to be seen if Nike help them bring Rooney to Paris. Ferguson has interest in Di Maria from Madrid as a replacement for Nani, who is widely expected to leave this summer. Higuain would be a more direct replacement for Rooney, with extra cash left over.
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