It's official: Gareth Bale is on loan to Tottenham for a year. The Welshman, who has contract with Real Madrid until 2022, returns to the club that saw him explode (2007-2013) and from which he left seven years ago to land at the Bernabéu in exchange for 101 million euros, the most expensive signing in history at that time. The loan is for one year and Madrid pays half the player's chip, which amounts to 30 million gross per season. With this transfer, the club is released from a player separated by Zidane and, incidentally, relieves its economy due to the footballer's mammoth salary.
The Welshman arrived in London this Friday morning in a private plane owned by Daniel Levy, Tottenham president and went to the sports center, where upon arrival he was photographed with several fans who were waiting for him, to finish closing the operation. Already in the afternoon today, the Tottenham made the return of the 'prodigal son' official. Gareth Bale will wear number 9 and will be under Mourinho's command.
Gareth Bale leaves Chamartín leaving behind iconic goals for Real Madrid history (Barcelona in the 2014 Cup final where he dynamited Bartra with a thoroughbred race, Atlético in the Decima, the Chilean Liverpool in the Decimotercera …), but also a long history of injuries and controversies that have given the white club more than a dislike.
The divorce with Zidane was clear since last year, in the preseason, the French coach said that “if he leaves tomorrow, better” in reference to an offer from China. In the end he had to have him on the squad. He tried to make a clean slate and, although at first it seemed that the situation could be redirected (in the first three games, Cardiff gave an assist in the 1-3 win in Vigo and rescued Madrid with a double in 2 -2 against Villarreal), everything was blown up again: injuries, problems and Bale, to the stands. The player even asked not to travel to Manchester for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against City. The Welshman was sentenced by Zidane and wanted to save the trip.
Faced with this situation, Bale and his agent began to change their discourse and value the option of leaving. United appeared, but finally the Welshman returns to what was his home and springboard in Europe. There he will meet Mourinho, who has been pursuing his signing for years, as the coach recently revealed. He leaves Madrid after 105 goals and 68 assists in 251 games dressed in white. In his seven years in white he has lifted four Champions, two Leagues, one Cup, three European Super Cups, one for Spain and four Club World Cups, where he was top scorer in the 2018 title.
A message to the fans
He cardiff expressMinutes after his return was made official, he wanted to go to the one he was and, now, it is his fans again. “To all Tottenham fans, after 7 years, I'm back!”, he wrote on his social networks.
The text was accompanied by a photograph of him with the shirt of the Spurs while making his traditional heart with his hands. The English fans reflected their joy yesterday when they saw the player enter the club's sports city. Bale says goodbye to Madrid and returns to London. It's official now.