Fergie in check on Welsh whiz-kid

Stuart Mathieson

January 24, 2007

HIGHLY-RATED: Gareth Bale

SIR Alex Ferguson will make one final check on Gareth Bale this weekend before considering an 11th hour improved bid for the teenage defender.

United and Spurs are locked in a battle for the 17-year-old Welsh international left-back who will be in action for Southampton against City in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Tottenham made a é6m December bid for Bale and the Reds are believed to have made an offer that would amount eventually to é8m.

United could also be prepared to loan back Ryan Giggs's international colleague to the Saints for their promotion challenge.

Bale has been reported to have been at White Hart Lane for talks but United remain in the hunt.

Mission

With the Reds playing Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday teatime, it leaves Fergie able to take in a personal spying mission on Bale at City on Sunday afternoon.

It would then leave United three days to do business before the transfer window closes next Wednesday.

Ex-Old Trafford defender Clayton Blackmore, who played left-back for the Reds and for Wales like Bale, believes the youngster is on a fast track to stardom.

"Gareth has got the world at his feet," said the Welshman.

"Wales have put their faith in youngsters at the moment because they are looking to the future so playing international football for us at present might not be as big as people think.

"But if Manchester United are willing to pay é8m for a 17-year-old then that is different. That really is a recommendation.

"Also the fact he is a regular in Southampton's side and is supposed to be their key figure says everything about his talent.

Influential

"If a left-back can be so influential in any side then he has to have something about him. You don't normally rely on someone in that position to be your most inspirational player.

"He is obviously got it physically and has been able to stand his corner in the championship all campaign.

"United are well blessed with left backs at the moment with Patrice Evra, Gabriel Heinze and Mikael Silvestre. So Gareth is obviously one more for the future.

"Players have to be careful because they can move to a bigger club and then get lost in the system.

"There is talk of him being loaned back to Southampton until the end of this season and maybe even for 18 months when his current contract is due to end anyway.

"That would be ideal for him, his education, Southampton and United."

Bale, however, is being encouraged to stick on the south coast by Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.

"I would advise Gareth to stay for the benefit of his career because he will be playing week in and week out," said Le Tissier.

Should United up their bid for Bale? Have your say.

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Jonathan Chin, Penang (24/01/2007 at 09:32)

i believe United has a plan to convert him to left wing role. But for me this "whiz-kid" only worth 7mil at most. If United have to pay more than that amount. why not we go for Nani? I really wish the "improve bid " is not in term of increasing money but "add in some our "super star " eg.. Mikael O'fletcherson..
cheers ...

George, RHYL (24/01/2007 at 10:17)

He's quick enough to make the rest of the Welsh team look like fell walkers.Watching him against City is a good idea.If he shows well in that clash SAF will buy him I would think.

Mick, Dublin (24/01/2007 at 10:45)

I admire your optimism, George, I really hope it's as simple as Fergie deciding whether we want him or not. If we are gonna bid almost 10m for him then Fergie must see him as a future left-winger. He's only 17 so there will be plenty of time for him to adjust to a new position. If he does replace Giggs, it will bring the average age of our team down nicely.

Richard, Aston (24/01/2007 at 11:09)

It is time that we invest in top young talent. I think a move to Man Utd would be alot better for Bale than going to Tottenham. They just try and buy any under 21 British player that moves. If he is as good as people are making out then he would be a great signing. We will probably lose Heinze at the end of the season, so he will get chances to play. Also I read somewhere that he could be converted into a left winger, which would be great as we need to replace Giggs soon. I wish we could find a really talented young midfielder who could join and provide cover and competition to Carrick and Scholes.

Man About Town, Manchester (24/01/2007 at 11:25)

We should break the bank for this kid. I hear Barcelona, AC Milan and Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on this hot prospect. Whisper it quietly but the word on the street is that this guy is like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Carlos, Franz Beckenbauer, Diego Maradona and Pele all rolled into one.

Loyal to the End (30 years, City Fans, 30 years...), Malaysia (24/01/2007 at 11:34)

Moved to a big club recently? Has your manager been keeping you in the reserves? Not enough first team action, you say? Have we got the solution for you.. And it's 2 simple words, Manchester United!! Why, here at United, not only do you get associated with a big club, you can get your fair share of the action as well.. That's right, ALL our youngsters gets loaned out!! And if you join now, we ll even throw in a free 100% genuine Premiership medal in May*!! So what are you waiting for? call 0789-FERGIE, that's 0789-FERGIE..... *subject to playing the required amount of games

khaled mahmood, bangladesh (24/01/2007 at 11:37)

I'm not going to comment on this boy. I havent seen him. What I will say is this: Spurs have no billionaire backer. They get nearly 30000 less fans a game than Utd. They are not a global phenominon as Utd are. IF we get outbid by Spurs for a player Sir REALLY wants, then that is the most disgusting disgrace that has EVER happened. Being outbid by Chelsea is a different matter, its unavoidable if they want a player. If Spurs gazump us, then the message is clear, United have lost both their financial power and their appeal.

Frank, Old Trafford (24/01/2007 at 11:46)

Khaled, remember that Spurs have 15 million in cash they got for one of their second string midfielders! Money to burn!

Birdy, Ireland (24/01/2007 at 11:58)

Good points Khaled. I think with Bale, my opinion on whether or not we sign him will be formed based on what sort of money we then have for our priority areas. If he costs 8-10m, thats not an insignificant amount of money. Lots of very good established players in more prominent positions than left back have been bought foro that amount. We all know we're well covered at left back by 2 players with many yrs ahead of them. I would see Bale as a luxury purchase. If we have the spare cash then fine. As regards converting him to a left winger, i hate that sort of talk. Generally young players get moved from forward positions to defence, not the other way round. Just because he's a good footballer doesnt mean he will make a good left back. I wouldnt be buying him on the assumption that he will one day take over the left wing

Dave Keighley, Kent (ex-Cheadle) (24/01/2007 at 12:03)

I hope SAF is also checking up on the fine print of Heinze's contract because, according to The Times this morning, a Fifa ruling allows him to buy himself out at Old Trafford in June should he decide he wants to move -- and there are numerous club's reported to be interested in signing him.

Alias Smith, over the moon (24/01/2007 at 12:33)

Dave, any player over 24 in the last year of his contract can buy out the remainder - it's not something specific to Heinze.

Mick, Dublin (24/01/2007 at 12:47)

On competing with Spurs in the transfer market, I don't know where all the money comes from but Spurs have been spending cash like it's going out of fashion over the last 4 years or so. People keep pointing out their ability to snap up young players but they spend vast sums of money to do so. I reckon Spurs have brought in more players over the last 6 or 7 transfer windows than any other club in the league (apart from possibly Chavski or the dippers) I've tried to find out exactly how much they've spent but google isn't helping. Anyone else got any idea?

Studleybeing, Ireland (24/01/2007 at 12:53)

Southampton have tried Bale already on the left wing and he was no big shakes. He was clearly nowhere near effective as leftback. I reckon it will be evra that will revert to left wing. He has played there many times before for his prvious club. With his pace and skill and great crossing ability he would make an ideal left wing partnership with Bale.

khaled mahmood, bangladesh (24/01/2007 at 13:09)

Frank, or should i say Plank? I take it you are refering to Carrick? 2nd string player? Superb for mus this year. Ask Scholes how he has influenced his own return to form. Our possesion stats are regularly nearl 70% this term. Calling Carrick 2nd string is like calling Rooney, "that fat kid with 2 left feet", or calling Vidic "that clumsy Serbian that couldnt push Fletcher off the ball" or (and this is the best one folks), calling Gary Neville "that one whos only as good as his brother" Now THAT is ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave Keighley, Kent (ex-Cheadle) (24/01/2007 at 13:16)

Thanks, Alias, I wasn't aware of that. I still think we should keep GH, though.

Mick, Dublin (24/01/2007 at 13:16)

But Heinze won't be in the final year of his contract until NEXT summer. He's under contract until 2009.

TMUF, Manchester (24/01/2007 at 13:20)

Alias its last 2 years, and khaled Tottenham have one of the richest chairmen in the prem. I think he was 2nd behind Abromavich but that may have been last year before foreign invesor's came along. Do you really think a player like Davids would join because of their history? He gets paid 6 figures a week! Lets also not forget Lucas Neil joined West Ham ahead of Liverpool(so funny!) At the end of the day tho, Bale also has a better and quicker chance of breaking in to their first team. If he comes here, he knows we have Evra and Heinze. Goes to Spurs and he would walk in in a couple of months, maybe even weeks. Lee Yung Pyo and Ekotto (not sure the spelling) woulnt even play ahead of Silvestre! So dont always think negatively. Obviously Man U are a bigger attraction then Spurs (ask Carrick!), and financially we can match a Spurs bid (look at Carrick!) so if he ends up at Spurs, I am sure there are good reasons.

Graham, Bolton (24/01/2007 at 13:20)

Clayton Blackmore's are pertinent. Being older in the tooth, I remember seeing a young left back called Emlyn Hughes playing for Blackpool at OT. He was their star player influencing their play like Blackmore reckons Bale does at Southampton. It wasn't long after that match that Liverpool bought Hughes and what a great player he was for the scousers. He's British not French or Spanish etc.
Go for him Fergie!!!

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (24/01/2007 at 13:33)

I think that buyout clause refers to players over 28 Alias & not 24, i'm open to correction on that but i think i'm right. Bale is 1 of these players that you must buy. 10 million is a snip for a player that could play for us for the next 15 years. Our other option is let Spurs get him & in 3 or 4 years time pay them double that to secure his services. We're not buying anyone else in this window so we may as well invest in our future.

Green, Norway (24/01/2007 at 13:36)

well Birdy, you say: "Generally young players get moved from forward positions to defence, not the other way round." There was this other young welsh kid who startet out as a left back as 17yrs in the early 90s. Later he was moved forward when Lee Sharp stayed at the pub to many times.. work out well if you ask me.

Alias Smith, over the moon (24/01/2007 at 13:42)

So a player over 28 can but our the last 2 years of the his contract. Well, apart from the age and the length of contract, I was right on the money there! LOL!

Steve, Brussels (24/01/2007 at 13:45)

Aye - Gaby can buy his contract out as per the rules and The Times are using that to patch together a 'story' to fill space. assuming he is on around 50K per week that amounts to a good Â£5 million. Now assuming he has been taxed at 40% that means he will have put Â£4.5 million in his pocket by the summer. In other words he would write off every penny he has earned at United to buy out of his contract. I think it is a safe guess that a rational player would not give up a good half of his net worth just becasue he is on the bench. As for Bale i have not seen him "but the word on the street is that this guy is like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Carlos, Franz Beckenbauer, Diego Maradona and Pele all rolled into one" - well would be nice but I reckon you would have to stump up a lot more than 7 million if that were the case!

stu, london (24/01/2007 at 13:57)

Bale is definitely being earmarked for left wing I think. He has played there all through his development and Saints have only moved him to left back within the last 12 months. He's not very quick according to the experts, but he can take the ball around people and is the best dead ball specialist since Becks. I said last season that I thought our long term road map should be for Ronaldo to be our Giggs replacement, but on the right, and that we needed a Beckham replacement - someone who can cross the ball perfectly - but on the left. Bale could be it. We've all been banging on about the need for a second winger to replace Giggs, and many people have moaned that we don't get the young players early enough (i.e. Carrick when he was 5m or 8m or 10m). Well, this answers both of those criticisms so it's unfair to criticise the club for looking ahead.

Alias Smith, over the moon (24/01/2007 at 14:07)

Clarification on the contract thingummy. Under Fifa regulations, a contract ceases to be â€oeprotectedâ€ after a period of three years if the player was under 28 when he signed it. At that point he or another club may â€oebuy outâ€ the contract, provided that a compensation fee (the amount the player would have received over the remainder of the contract) is paid to the club owning his registration.

Dave Keighley, Kent (ex-Cheadle) (24/01/2007 at 14:08)

I'm now sorry I mentioned this stuff about Heinze being able to buy out his contract! Anyone got a Fifa rulebook? If you have, please keep it to yourself.

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