- Man Utd have been heavily linked with a move for Bale in the past
- Real Madrid reportedly want £100m to sell the Welshman next summer
- Given his injury problems, United only willing to pay half that figure now
- READ MORE: Man Utd told to splash out staggering £45m to seal PL raid in January
Given his injury troubles over the last couple of seasons, it’s no surprise that Real Madrid star and Man Utd target Gareth Bale has reportedly seen his valuation drop.
The 28-year-old joined the La Liga giants in 2013, and it’s certainly paid dividends for him as he’s collected a La Liga title and three Champions League trophies in that period since as well as many other major honours.
However, unfortunately for the Welsh international, it’s been increasingly difficult for him to avoid struggling with injury setbacks, which have limited him to just 10 appearances in all competitions so far this season, while there has been a steadily decline in his numbers over the past three seasons.
From making 48 appearances in 2014/15, he saw that number fall to 31 the following campaign before making just 27 appearances last year.
In turn, that’s a worrying trend for Bale himself and Madrid as he looks to now show some sort of proof that he can put his injury troubles behind him, albeit he’s currently sidelined with a calf problem.
Unsurprisingly, The Mirror claim that Man Utd are no longer willing to splash out £100m+ on their top target, and such has been the impact of his injury concerns, they are said to only be prepared to pay half that figure at around £50m-£60m.
The report also adds two very crucial points too, in that Bale turns 29 next year and is said to be earning £350,000-a-week at the Bernabeu. Add that to the injury concerns above, and it really does start to mount up to suggest it’s a very risk move for the Red Devils and one that could turn out to be an expensive mistake.
It’s seemingly unlikely that Madrid will be willing to accept such a low offer, especially after splashing out £85m on him in 2013, as per BBC Sport.
As a result, it’s difficult to see the move materialising, but much can change between now and the end of the season to influence the situation.