Gareth Bale back to Tottenham? No chance, say Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson
Monday 25 January 2016 10:19, UK
Charlie Nicholas reckons Gareth Bale back to Tottenham would be "impossible," while fellow Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson can't see why he'd leave Real Madrid.
The Football Leaks website this week published what they claim is a document that shows Spurs have the first buy-back option from Real if another Premier League club tries to sign him, along with confirmation that the deal did eclipse Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record fee - something the Bernabeu outfit have always denied.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he would be interested in bringing Bale back to White Hart Lane, should the opportunity arise.
But Soccer Saturday pundits Nicholas and Merson believe any such deal would not be viable for Spurs - currently financing the development of their new stadium - and reckon only a cluster of English clubs would be able to foot the bill.
Arsenal and Celtic legend Nicholas told Sky Sports: "There's every chance that the clause exists, just like Arsenal had with Cesc Fabregas.
"However, it's an impossibility and the reason for that is because they have to build a new stadium.
"If you buy the stadium and then pay £70m for Bale and then his wages, how many players are they going to be have sell?
"It's never going to happen. It's not feasible. It's like when people go on about Lionel Messi learning English. Is he really? Does that mean there's a chance he could be coming, too?"
Fellow Soccer Saturday pundit Merson would love to see Bale back in the Premier league - but also can't see such a move.
"He is world class and it would be great to see him back but Spurs have got a sweat on trying to keep hold of Harry Kane, let alone being able to spend £80-90m to bring back Bale," Merson said.
"I'd love to see him back in the Premier League, he's absolutely world class, and if he does decide to leave Real Madrid, then I'm sure England would be the only option for him.
"However, with the sort of money you'd be talking, only Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United are capable of paying for him.
"He was obviously upset by Rafa Benitez leaving but it's up to him and I'm not sure whether that's really enough to make him want to move.
The 26-year-old joined Los Blancos two-and-a-half years ago but has struggled to step out of the shadow of the man whose fee he eclipsed, Ronaldo.
Merson added: "I don't think Bale is one of those people that thinks he needs to be main boy so I don't see why he'd be urgent to leave.
"I think Ronaldo is like that. That will upset him seeing that they paid more for Bale, but I don't think stuff like that bothers Bale."
Watch the team debate the big football stories, before bringing you all the goals as they go, on Soccer Saturday at noon on Sky Sports News HQ.
