There is real optimism this morning that this will be the week that the Amanda Staveley consortium’s bid to buy Newcastle will be approved by the Premier League.
We reported earlier today on The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards saying there’s optimism by the owner, but that the good thing is there have been no rumors of it being tuned down: that has to be positive.
Newcastle have been linked with several world-class stars this summer already, and there’s a report in Marca today that we may be after former Tottenham winger Gareth Bale who is still at Real Madrid.
Bale turns 31 in July, so he’s no spring chicken anymore, but the Welshman has real class and tremendous experience.
But Bale and his family are happy in Madrid, and Marca report that he is willing to see out his contract at Madrid even though he has not been a regular starter for three years now.
His contract has two years to run this June.
If Newcastle do sign Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager, the Argentine would be in favor of signing the Welshman, who is shown above in Real’s colors.
This is what Pochettino said two years go about signing Bale, while still at Tottenham:
“If we have the first say on his future, why not?”
“He’s a great player – a player that would improve our squad and the profile that we’re looking for.”
There are a few barriers to a possible move to Newcastle.
Moving from Madrid to Newcastle may be a bridge too far for his family.
And he’s turned down moves before, including a lucrative one to China last summer, when Real stopped the deal because they would not get a fee for the 30-year-old.
Gareth received an offer of €25M/year from a Chinese Super League club last summer.
And it’s those kinds of wages that would be too much for a lot of clubs.
He currently makes (only?) €17M/year at Real, so that would not be a massive problem for the new regime.
And the transfer fee may be as low as €20M since Real would save a lot of money on his wages if he left.
That’s especially true in these financially strapped times for football because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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So we think the new Newcastle could afford the Welshman, but the challenge would be to get him to move to the northeast of England.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
50 comments so far
Captain AmeriMag
May 11, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Comment #1Decent back up for Maxi I suppose.
#CANS
Novocastrian66
May 11, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Comment #2I cannot see this happening.
the Northumbrian
May 11, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Comment #3Nah he’s another anderton a sick note and bench warmer.
Loves his golf more than football.
TomaKaThor
May 11, 2020 at 10:59 AM
Comment #4Don’t want Bale, on the decline injury prone and will want ridiculous wages.
Jail for Ashley
May 11, 2020 at 11:04 AM
Comment #5I think Bale would be unsuited at any club other than one of the giants. He would be so out of place at SJP for at least another year or two.
hibbit
May 11, 2020 at 11:07 AM
Comment #6it’s a NO from me,
DaveD1000
May 11, 2020 at 11:07 AM
Comment #7No ty
Just a fan
May 11, 2020 at 11:08 AM
Comment #8Lesh .
Not sure if it was a centre half called young .
Plus the goalie who went to Sunderland played in first eam when sixteen or seventeen.
ctommo
May 11, 2020 at 11:09 AM
Comment #9Saying we don’t want Bale is insane. If he was to be the ‘statement signing’ like City done with Robinho, it would be an incredible deal. Yes
I don’t even think he would come as he doesn’t want to leave Spain apparently, but if he did, then he is instantly the best player in the squad and the best we would have had in many a year. Obviously the papers are full of it at the minute and just making up whatever they want, but my god its good to even be linked with these kind of players
Rotonda heights
May 11, 2020 at 11:09 AM
Comment #10Northumbrian
Spot on. Very injury prone and at 31, already loaded and having won everything with Real what’s his motivation. going to be? Much rather we went after the Soumares and De Beeks for some long termism.
That said, beardo was playing some fantastic stuff when he came back at 31, but he kept himself fit and didn’t drink and Rondon at nearly 30 was on fire here. So who knows, but at first glance Bale is perhaps not the best supposedly most marquee signing I would choose to make, especially when we still have Miggy + St Max.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
May 11, 2020 at 11:09 AM
Comment #11Just want the takeover – anything after that is bonus
Jib
May 11, 2020 at 11:10 AM
Comment #12I’m sure the new folk aren’t buying NUFC to be a rest home for players well past their sell-by date
Munster Mag
May 11, 2020 at 11:16 AM
Comment #13Would that mean maxi has to move to the other wing?
cleveleysbob
May 11, 2020 at 11:17 AM
Comment #14Well said Jib I hope you’re right.
Moonraker15
May 11, 2020 at 11:19 AM
Comment #15Ed
With respect I don’t know why you even post this about Gareth Bale!
Mund
May 11, 2020 at 11:19 AM
Comment #16Crazy when I hear fans post about they wouldn’t want Bale and we wonder why outsiders look at us fans the way they do.
Bale is still world class defo not on the decline and would walk into our team. But saying that it’s all click Bait anyways
Ron Knee
May 11, 2020 at 11:21 AM
Comment #17Michael Deacon@MichaelPDeacon
Yes, you can invite your mother round to your house, but *only* if she is your cleaner
the Northumbrian
May 11, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Comment #18Rotunda would he also want an increase on his 17m a year he’s on at real m?
That’s enough for 2 decent younger players IMO
IrishRob
May 11, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Comment #19Honestly it wouldnt surprise me if Ashley had a clause in the deal where they cant announce it until weeks after it’s done, just to fu*k with us one last time.
cleveleysbob
May 11, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Comment #20Been reading through all the comments from last night and this morning.
I despair.
Can’t believe how many don’t understand a simple request to “stay alert”.
We’ve lived with an almost total shutdown for 6 weeks, the gvmt wants to ease things slightly but is treating us like adults and expects us to “stay alert” to the dangers that still exist around us.
What the f**k is difficult about that – morons!
Thankfully I believe that the vast majority of the population of the UK are more sensible and grown up.
And to be specific one point that some posters obviously have difficulty with. The only people who were told they could return to work today were construction workers and those in manufacturing so long as their employers had the necessary safety measures in place!! Is that difficult numpties?
Jail for Ashley
May 11, 2020 at 11:25 AM
Comment #21ctommo,
Valid comment that like.
cleveleysbob
May 11, 2020 at 11:25 AM
Comment #22I’m heading for the bomb shelter now.
IrishRob
May 11, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Comment #23Bale is on £350K a week AFTER TAX which puts him at easily 500K weekly. There is no way we could realistically match even half of that not yet anyways.
If FFP didnt affect salaries we would be on the pigs back.
Zele
May 11, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Comment #24Jib,
Yes it feels like a rest home with the names that keep popping up.
We will know for sure when the club orders some zimmerframes.
I’m assuming that it’s their agents who are circulating these stories as it cannot be the current scouting team. Although as they may be replaced by the new owners perhaps they are just having a final laugh. Whose next, Pele ?
If it’s the new scouting team heaven help the club.
RobLeenio
May 11, 2020 at 11:28 AM
Comment #25I’d have Bale in a heartbeat. Apparently Real Madrid are looking for £20M for him, which is a bargain in any language. The goals he would score for us, the shirts he would sell, the statement it would make around the World.
This is the ideal marquee signing, in my eyes. If the owners want to make a splash, this is the way to do it.
Calling him a ‘sicknote’ is a bit odd – he played 42 times last season, 39 the season before, with 35 goals across that time.
Very definitely yes please from me!
Moonraker15
May 11, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Comment #26Clevelysbob
Completely agree with you about the PM’s speech and staying alert!
That idiot Piers Morgan was on a rant this morning on his tv show.
FFS we are the ultimate nanny state nowadays!
Ron Knee
May 11, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Comment #27Michael Deacon@MichaelPDeacon
An officer from Derbyshire Police will be stationed outside your living room window in an observational capacity for the duration of the visit. If your mother ceases vacuuming at any point she will be removed immediately from the property
ctommo
May 11, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #28RobLeenio, Couldn’t agree more.
Whether he has the desire or appetite for the move is something else, but what a signing and statement he would be
Zele
May 11, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #29Irish,
I read somewhere some time back that Bale had few friends in the squad as he, unlike all other foreigners, refused to learn Spanish.
How true that is I don’t know but I can imagine that it would irritate any squad in any country.
Mund
May 11, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Comment #30All these signings we keep being linked to are all good and exciting but none of it means anything till the takeover is complete.
I keep reading bits about there intentions with the club and signing the likes of Bale doesn’t fit into it but everything we hear we have to take with a pinch of salt.
When the takeover is complete we will hear the new owners intentions and were they want to take this great club and only then will we have any idea of what’s to come.
JDdubai
May 11, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Comment #31Id think with Bale about to turn 31 he will want 1 final contract before retirement so will be looking for a 4 or 5 year deal.
Do we want him at the club around 34 or 35 still on these huge wages when his effectiveness will have dropped by then, but we wont be able to move him on as no-one else would pay those wages at his then age.
his wages would likely cover the same wages for 4 or 5 top players also, given FFP i just dont see it as a sensible choice to make – even tho as a statement of intent it would be significant.
We need to buy players whose best days as ahead of them, with newcastle seeing them in their peaks, not players who will continue to decline during their time with us.
RobLeenio
May 11, 2020 at 11:36 AM
Comment #32ctommo, aye, very much a case of our hopes and dreams being very different from what those of any actual players might be.
Or their wives / partners, for that matter!
Freezing up here today, full hat, scarf and puffer jacket for walking the dog on the Longsands this morning, hailstones an hour ago. Bit different from the weather in Madrid!
😉
Rotonda heights
May 11, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Comment #33Cleveleysbob
Last night I must admit we were scratching our heads a bit as there did appear to be some grey areas. Apparently more detailed information will follow today but would it not have made more sense to make a speech after those details were to hand. I understand constructon re-starting but people are still cramming onto tubes in London and you can understand why some people are seeking more defined clarification. Surely office workers could and should still work from home for the foreseeable. Yes a minority are and sadly always will be morons.
Tom
Maidstone is only 10 miles from me. Sadly like most of North Kent Maidstone is a bit of a s–tthole, but there are better places like Canterbury, Tunbridge wells and Tenterden.
Mund
May 11, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Comment #34Apparently with Bale in Madrid he refused to learn Spanish he never takes part in team bonding and would rather play golf.
What amazes me is when he was aware of Madrid wanting rid he said he sit on the bench, play golf and take his pay check every week.
This guy is an incredible footballer and could of achieved so much more in his career if it wasn’t for that attitude.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
May 11, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #35that phrase a watched pot never boils seems to be true. i think im going to stop checking the news every three seconds to see if the takeover happens.
Pain in the Blog
May 11, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #36cleveleysbob
May 11, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Comment #20
“What the f**k is difficult about that – morons!” and “Is that difficult numpties?”
What’s all that about? You don’t normally post like that? You’re beginning to sound like Bobbybee. You’re a much better poster if you just keep away from politics.
B1GSTEVE
May 11, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #37If we are talking about Bale, why not Mbappe. At least he plays in a position we really need someone.
Moonraker15
May 11, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Comment #38RobLeenio
I think Bale is great player but there’s no way he’s coming to Newcastle mate!
Neither is he a priority position; we need a centre forward, a number 10 and another holding midfielder before anyone else!
IrishRob
May 11, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Comment #39I think it’s a non starter, I think it’s too much to expect us to be even giving players 250k a week atm, we dont have the revenue to cover anything like that or higher that’s the big problem.
Bale ain’t gonna leave for less than what hes paid there. And I cant see Madrid covering too much of his wages. For my thoughts this is the most far fetched transfer rumour yet for soo many reasons.
If theres gonna be a marquee signing on anywhere near even 250k hes gonna be a lot younger like Coutinho.
Btw 250k is my personal estimation of the highest wages were gonna see us giving anyone for the next year at least.
ctommo
May 11, 2020 at 11:42 AM
Comment #40JD, Fair comment. But Bale on his day is one of the best in the world.
When Juventus signed Ronaldo at 33 years of age, they gave him a 4 year contract of around 500k per week. Even though he is a freak of nature, the likes of him, Messi, Zlatan etc prove that they can carry on for more years than the likes of Carroll.
Of all the players linked, I would love a 31 year old Bale on a 3 or 4 year contract rather than Rondon back, or Ighalo for 2 or 3 years.