Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has lifted the lid on Manchester United’s failed attempts to sign Gareth Bale.
It was well documented over the years that Manchester United’s former chief executive Ed Woodward almost became obsessed with Gareth Bale after missing out on the chance to sign the Welsh winger.
Bale completed a world-record transfer to Real Madrid for £85m in the summer of 2013, agreeing a £300,000 per week deal on a six-year contract, eclipsing the £80m Los Blancos paid United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
Despite missing out on Bale at the time, United’s ex-chief Woodward never gave up hope of such a deal, but one never materialised. It was just one of many failed transfer pursuits involving the Glazers’ favourite puppet.
Getty Images
Andre Villas-Boas insight into Man Utd’s late Gareth Bale bid
It’s been 13 years since Bale signed for Real Madrid. The ex-Wales international won everything at the Bernabéu, including the Champions League three times, though he left the Spanish club under a cloud in 2022 when his contract expired.
Injuries were Bale’s biggest problem. He also began to prioritise playing golf towards the end of his spell in Spain, which understandably didn’t go down well with the Madridistas.
However, United were tracking Bale long before Real Madrid. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted in 2013 that United were first in the queue to sign him as a youngster from Southampton, only to be let down by officials at St. Mary’s Stadium. Later that year, Ferguson’s successor David Moyes was hopeful of bringing Bale to Old Trafford, but he swapped London for Madrid.
Appearing on The Obi One Podcast, Villas-Boas confirms that United had a £120m offer snubbed by Bale.
“Gareth had the offer from Real Madrid,” Villas-Boas said.
“I remember Man United called in the last minute. Daniel Levy came into my office; they were paying £120m, but Gareth didn’t want to go. He wanted to go to Real Madrid.”
According to the Manchester Evening News, United made at least four attempts to sign Bale throughout his career – from Southampton, Tottenham and twice from Madrid.
United’s story with Bale would have been very different had Ferguson been successful in his quest to sign the winger from Southampton. That is why it will always be a case of what could have been.
⚡️ Gareth Bale stats at Real Madrid
258 appearances
106 goals
68 assists
Gareth Bale explains Man Utd talks
Earlier this year, Bale featured as a special guest on The Overlap podcast when he was asked about links to United throughout his career.
When it comes to 2013, when he joined Real Madrid, Bale confirmed that his mind was already made up before holding talks with United.
“I did talk to United [in 2013],” Bale said.
“They did actually bid more than Real Madrid. I spoke with David Moyes. But my heart was set on Madrid anyway. And I had something in place with Daniel Levy, more of a gentleman’s agreement.”
He added: “And obviously, he didn’t want to sell me to a rival and strengthen another team. Levy made it hard, but he stayed true to his words in the end.”