Should Gareth Bale move?

I have this feeling that if Gareth Bale really wanted to move to Real Madrid with a passion, he would be close to that move right now.  Or we would have heard about it in a highly publicized debacle where Spurs reject his transfer request and have an unhappy player.. blah, blah. Spurs know all of this stuff from Dimitar Berbatov’s move to Man United and Luka Modric pleading with Daniel Levy for a move to Chelski or Madrid. Surprise, surprise.. Madrid got their way again with that one. As they often do. Because that’s the agenda Madrid president Florentino Perez works under. Failure isn’t an option. Recruiting the best players - and that means the best, think of Zidane, Ronaldo, Benzema, Kaka… all for massive sums and all signing orchestrated by the might Perez. The Galacticos.

However, something tells me that sizzling forward Bale, now 23 isn’t completely seduced by Madrid’s plan to ship him over to Spain. Madrid’s  sporting director and frankly bloody legend Zinedine Zidane casually complimenting Gaz in the media isn’t fooling most people. Zidane is using tactics even used in Football Manager where you can complement an opposing player’s ability.. trying to build a relationship. Yawn.  So by now, with Madrid’s interest so obvious you’d think we’d hear some movement in the Bale camp. Whilst we've heard the usual ‘keeping his options open’ and ‘open to offers’ statements from his agent, Bale himself is so coy. Even for a footballer who doesn't want to give away his future.. because that is a very high level of coyness. My basic point is that I think Bale would probably rather stay, and at least for now. I mean, you can’t blame him. He’s  been in cracking form last two seasons, adored by Spurs and Wales fans, now the heart of the Spurs team and has just welcomed a child with his partner last year. The move could jeopardize his form and his life in general. Being regarded as a ‘world class’ footballer is new to Gareth Bale. A few years ago, he was the butt of jokes. When he was in the Spurs team, they always lost. A long standing record of 24 games. Now, whenever he doesn't play, the danger will be they lose. Failure to adapt to Real Madrid and Spanish football could scupper his reputation and his form again. It’s a massive risk. Don’t get me wrong, as a Welsh football fan I want what’s best for Bale. While a move to Spain, that could possibly break the world transfer record, would be great publicity for Welsh football, I feel that he could benefit more from delaying a move abroad or to a bigger club.. at least for now.

Spurs know if they want to keep Bale they’re gonna have to show their ambition, their desire to challenge for trophies. Big trophies. And they need big signings. The biggest priority is surely a striker. It feels as if Spurs have needed a top class centre forward for about 28 years. This summer, there will surely be movement. David Villa, Leandro Damiao and Christian Benteke. One or more would be a welcome addition.. easing the goal scoring burden for Bale, and giving him a possible striker partner. Paulinho has been signed for £17m, and from what we've seen of him in the Confederations Cup.. he’s a good ‘un.  One or two more big signings and you start to see a team of real quality. Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Bale..

However, if Madrid too pop up and offer Daniel Levy a figure of over £80m, as we've heard… then there aren’t many chairmen who’d turn that down. If used sensibly, that kind of money could bring 6-7 great signings. Let’s just hope this one doesn't drag like the usual Spurs transfer sagas….