Real Madrid negotiating €45 million bid for Gareth Bale

Real Madrid are reportedly negotiating the transfer of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Gareth Bale for a reported sum of €45 million.

• By Tom Conn       Follow @TomConnISF
  

According to Spanish newspaper, El Economista, Real Madrid and Tottenham are already in talks for the Welsh international, who will be paid a sum of €5 million per year.

Real Madrid have been in pursuit of Bale for the past three years, with Tottenham asking in excess of €50 million for the player in 2011.

However, three years later and Bale has become one of the most sought-after players in European football, meaning that the €45 million bid is likely a starting point and could move much farther.

Bale is an avid admirer of Cristiano Ronaldo and expressed serious interest in playing with the Portuguese international.

Real Madrid know the signing of Bale will not be smooth, such was the case with Luka Modric last summer, but due to an arrangement the two clubs signed as part of the Modric deal, Real Madrid would have the right of first refusal and could send players to Tottenham as a way of lowering the price tag for Bale, while giving the Spurs a deal on players below market value.

However, the future of Real Madrid is still up in the air, as manager Jose Mourinho appears to be on his way out, it could lower the appeal for Bale to join the club or the new manager may have a different idea of who to purchase this summer.