The idea of Gareth Bale moving to Manchester United is a zombie transfer rumor- it just won’t die. No matter how unrealistic or impractical the idea of Bale returning to the Premier League, via Old Trafford, truly is, it’s a story that just won’t be killed off.
United Manager Jose Mourinho re-invited the speculation last Sunday when he told the Welsh international “I can’t buy you because you don’t talk.”
Mourinho to Bale in Santa Clara: "I can’t buy you because you don’t talk.” #mufc https://t.co/xzVryLyoyz
— Man Utd Channel (@ManUtdChannel) July 26, 2017
This brief meeting in the tunnel, right before United’s win on penalty kicks over Real in their preseason friendly, opened the floodgates for transfer gossip. It was an odd exchange considering that Mourinho had just literally said, the very day before, Gareth Bale is not a transfer target.
However, numerous stories in today’s newspapers are claiming that United will make a move for him, with the Daily Mail going so far as to say that Gareth Bale could be sold as part of Real’s plans to fund a £160 million world-record bid for Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe.
Adding fuel to the speculative fire are the comments made by Real Madrid Manager Zinedine Zidane: “I hope the BBC [Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo] stay for this season. I hope everyone remains. I want everyone who is here now to stay… but anything can happen right up until Aug. 31.”
Zidane made these comments Wednesday night.
Mourinho also been forthcoming about his desire to obtain a winger this summer, which again re-opens the Gareth Bale narrative.
Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s agent, has dismissed the idea however, telling Press Association Sport: “The speculation is ridiculous. Stupid.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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