There has been growing speculation over the last few weeks that Manchester United may make a blockbusting move for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.
Manchester United tried to sign him when Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013 but he instead joined the Spanish giants and has gone on to win seven trophies in just four years – including three Champions Leagues in four seasons.
And many onlookers had hoped that the 27-year-old would be ready to move on this summer as he has had a less than brilliant season at the club. Injury has put paid to some of his form but he says he’s happy in Spain and wants to remain at the club beyond this summer:
“I’ve signed a long-term contract at Madrid,” he said. “My family is happy and I am happy so, yeah, we will continue what we are doing. We are winning trophies and I am happy.
The Wales international has scored 67 goals in 150 hundred games over four seasons at the club. This season has been curtailed by injury and he has only managed 9 goals in 27 games at Madrid.
It’s still a very decent strike rate but there had been murmurs that the player could be moved on as Real Madrid look to sign the likes of Eden Hazard this summer.
Manchester United would be so much stronger with him in their side. The biggest problem over the last 12 months has been penetrating opposition defences. They are solid at the back but not scoring enough goals and Bale would be an unbelievable solution.
But just because the player is happy doesn’t mean that this is necessarily the end of the story. If the club decides the cash in then perhaps Manchester united could once more come calling.