The assumption seems to be that Bale is going to United, but at what cost? And will United fork out the cash for him? Does FFP not affect United?
So what is your valuation of the players here? £30m De Gea and £55m Bale. Or £50m De Gea and £75m Bale?
Not really. It's based on income and theirs is ridiculous. That's the point in it. It's to protect the likes of Utd, Real, Barca and Bayern from Chelsea, City and the like.
Has Bale's value dropped so far that Real will simply give him away to buy a goalie that they can afford without selling Bale? And if the answer to that is "yes," surely that will open the door to other clubs coming forward and offering the same or more?
I'd love him to come back. There was an article in yesterday's Times saying that Bale had had enough of his treatment there and was ready to leave. But, it also said that Perez will only sell if he gets a profit on what he paid. Whether Utd, or anybody else will stump up that much, remains to be seen. How much truth is in it, I've no idea. But the journalist seemed fairly sure of his facts.
I'm sure that Bale wants out of Real, but I'm not so sure that they'll simply gift him to United - and £55m plus a goalie will be a gift.
FFP protects those who have already had huge investment into their clubs and means that the likes of ourselves are doomed to have our best players poached every few years, unless they are seriously loyal guys, a rarity these days. Its why building a new stadium is so important to us because it gives us more revenue - we can't just go out and spend on players without it. Its probably also a contributing factor as to why Villa haven't been bought yet - theres a lot of potential there for a successful club but FFP places a stranglehold on investment. The only way out is to consistently have a fantastic team built up within your means and to win enough trophies so that you can attract players without pure use of money, and then to build up the infrastructure of the club so that you can compete at the highest level of revenue. That all takes time though and having 20 odd years of consistent success without spending big is never going to happen in the modern game. At the first sign of it the biggest clubs pick off the players and staff. There needs to be a balance so that clubs can't be horrendously financially mismanaged and run into problems so often, but FFP strangles the game and only protects the established order of things.
£25M and £50M for De Gea and Bale but it's the differential that matters. If Real can get the 'keeper they want plus a decent amount of cash, it doesn't matter how the players are valued. It kills two birds with one stone for Real. Bale has done reasonably well - but that's the objective view. Subjectively, the club and fans expected a world beater for £80M+ and Bale hasn't proved to be so influential. And we know that once Real get bored of their toys, they throw them out, whatever condition they may be in.
You're on cloud cuckoo land if you think you'll give Real £25m + De Gea for Bale. Is that really what you're suggesting? Bale is a guy who is still pretty darn marketable, has a long contract and was purchased recently for a world record fee. De Gea has 1 year left and was bought for £18m. He'd be worth more now obviously but with a year left?
Sorry Luke, but I think you're wishful dreaming on this one. City are rumoured to be interested too - and The Chavs. If a bidding war starts, the price could hit 3 figures.
You're right, only the differential matters. However they don't add up. Bale is worth £70m+ still - can't see his valuation going down that much. He did play a big part in CL victory only last year and De Gea (whilst a brilliant goalkeeper) is only a goalkeeper coming to the end of his contract. Try £40m differential and that'll be nearer imo.
No, Levy did very well to get £80M+ plus from a club that wanted Bale. He's never been an £80M player. His market value was nearer £50M and still is. If anything it has dropped because there are fewer ready buyers. City and Chelsea have to be a lot more circumspect in their spending because of FFP. Utd have a bargaining chip in De Gea. And where else would he go if you accept the possibilities of Real Madrid wanting to offload him and Bale being receptive to a return to the PL?
