Several days have passed since Saturday’s Champions League final, and the fallout and ramifications of Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool have still got the football world’s attention. Loris Karius’ shambolic errors gifted Real their third straight European Cup, after Mo Salah was forced to exit the game early after a tangle with Sergio Ramos. However, the star of the evening was undoubtedly a man that Manchester United have been linked with for some time…
Gareth Bale’s star turn in Kiev, coming off the bench and scoring a sumptuous bicycle kick earned Los Blancos yet another Champions League title, but the Welshman made it clear that his future at the Bernabeu is less-than certain almost immediately after the match. His disappointment at missing out on a place in the starting XI was clear, and the former Spurs forward confirmed that he was considering his future at full time:
“I need to be playing week, in week out, and that’s not happened this season. I had an injury five, six weeks into the season but I’ve been fit ever since. I have to sit down with my agent in the summer and discuss it.”
The Independent revealed that Bale has discussed a potential move to United with figures in Real’s dressing room, but the same report suggests that the club might be less keen on sealing a deal than they have been in previous seasons. This is down to a number of things; the fee and wages involved, and United’s signing of Alexis Sanchez in January.
Still, given that it was only in August of last year that United boss Jose Mourinho was publicly prodding Bale to sign for the club prior to the UEFA Super Cup, a deal should certainly not be ruled out. Despite their attacking talent, United have frequently struggled for consistency from their forwards, and the addition of a player of Bale’s calibre wouldn’t be unwelcome.
