This now appears to be all over the news like a rash. Talk5hite had a discussion late last night with some numpty ITK who simply assumed that Bale would be off to United, and then proceeded to give his analysis of where and how Bale would fit into the United first XI. He even had the gall to say that United's acquisition of Bale will ease the pain of losing Rooney to Chelsea, as though Spurs really didn't matter and had absolutely no say in the matter. It was utterly unbelievable, and I found myself laughing hysterically at some of the comments. There was a moment of cold sobriety in the discussion when Jason Cundy pointed out that Levy had said that any offers for Bale would have to be in excess of £80 million, but that didn't stop the numpty analyst, who swept over the comment with the ITK certainty that Edwards would cough up £80 million on the last day of the transfer window. He conveniently ignored the fact that Levy had specifically said that offers would have to be in excess of £80 million, and was clearly said, not as a sales-pitch, but to say in very clear terms that Bale isn't for sale (on the basis that no team has got £90m, £100m, £160, whatever, to blow on one player). We all know that the arrogance of teams like Real, United and Chelsea is such that they treat squads like ours as their own personal shopping malls, but what I heard last night - that twat United-biased analyst - tapping-up one of our players on behalf of Edwards and his boardroom cronies, reached an entirely different level of obscenity. Now, all of that said, do you think that United will subject us to another "Berbatov-style" siege, this Summer? Are we going to have to face the ignominy of our player being tapped-up on a daily basis by United until they encourage Bale to put in a transfer-request, and force Levy's hand on the last day of the window, leaving him with a fantastic bank-balance but with our squad depleted of the talent it needs to maintain a push for a top 4 slot? I don't want it to happen, and I firmly believe that it won't happen (because I do not believe that Bale will "do a Berbatov" and force a move), but if it is going to happen, I simply want Levy to have learned his lessons, and to be lining up the replacement(s), now.
Hopefully the club will sort out a new contract with Bale and this will all go away. Utd just aren't in the race though, as far as I'm concerned. Can't see their tapping up being successful this time, especially with Real waiting in the wings.
i don't think they would dare this time, plus its not Fergie and his never-ending arrogance any more. Levy would have them for breakfast if they tried that again.
Unless Utd have £80m (at least) to spend then I can't see Bale going there and it won't be this season anyway. The one "good" thing I'll say about the day we sell Bale, is once one team bids for him, I'm fairly sure that'll attract other bidders into a bidding war. We could seriously get a mega deal for Bale if Levy (which we know he will) plays it smart.
Absolutely no way. Unless I have completely misjudged Bale, and I don't believe I have, he's not a toy chucker. I don't believe he has it in him to behave like Berbatov or Modric. As has been said, I can see no way that Levy would allow him to go to another Premiership club, anyway.
That would just be a waste of time for both clubs as Rooney would never accept such a drastic cut in wages.
Unless Levy made special arrangements, we couldn't afford Rooney's salary. Isn't he on like £200k a week? We're looking to smash our current structure to pay Bale around £120k/£130k a week so there's no chance getting Rooney in my opinion, unless he took a huge pay cut, which just won't happen.
Far more likely would be the sale of Rooney to Chelsea to try and generate enough revenue for a bid for Bale, but given that Real have been outpriced, I can't see how that would be effective, either. Liverpool have a Uruguayan striker available if you're looking, though.
Won't happen. Manure are not such an attractive prospect now that bacon face is out the door. They simply don't have the player pull that they used to.
I can see United becoming the new 'Pool. Perhaps, in a couple of seasons' time, I'll be starting a "United Watch" as a place to debate the delusions of United fans clinging desperately to a fading glory and dreaming of the time when it will return?
Isn't that what you did to Palace, Southampton and Sheffield United re: Bostock, Bale, Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton? All clubs are arrogant, football is like a food chain (rightly or wrongly), harsh to single out some clubs at the expense of others. I can't see Bale going anywhere this summer never mind to United.
Utd weren't even subtle with their tapping up of Berbatov, not sure we'll see that from them again and Bale doesn't look like the type anyway
No. We made legitimate bids that were either accepted or unnecessary for the signing of the player. Bostock was out of contract, so we didn't even have to deal with Palace. We even allowed Southampton to renegotiate their add-ons for Bale when they hit further financial problems later down the line, though they probably regret that right now.
And unlike Cole-gate, the media were completely on the side of the team doing the tapping up and almost wilfully urged Berbatov to move.
Not that I believe it but the PA are now suggesting Woodwards come back for the imminent signing of Bale. take note, the PA are not some rumour mill, its the Press Association if anyone was unaware. Make of it what you will.
Ahhh the Berba saga. Great fun. We were a little naughty true but considering who you chairman is and how smug he thinks he is I cant help but laugh. Shame the silky ****er didnt work out.
