Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has upped the ante in the bid to land Gareth Bale by declaring the Welsh star can bring the Champions League trophy back to the Bernabeu.
French great Zidane , Real’s director of football and a leading force behind the club, struck the winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen the last time Madrid conquered Europe back in the 2001-02 season.
And he has told the Real hierarchy that Bale’s brilliance is the key to ensuring the Spanish giants, once undisputed European Cup kings, see those halcyon days return.
Zidane has advised Real to land Bale in a world record £80million-plus move to counter Barcelona’s glamour signing of Brazilian sensation Neymar.
Zidane travelled over the border to France to watch the Europa League clash between Lyon and Spurs this season and details of the report he produced for the club’s money-men was published in Madrid-based newspaper Marca yesterday.
Zidane was quoted as saying in document: “Bale is the number one. The player is class, lets you aspire to winning the Champions League. Not only is he strong and fast, he’s also clever on the pitch.”
Zidane had earlier been quoted as saying Real Madrid’s admiration of Bale is clear and they won’t be put off by the record fee Spurs will demand.
As the speculation around his future intensified further. Bale was a notable absence from Tottenham’s pre-season friendly defeat to Sunderland in Hong Kong yesterday.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who continues to insist that his Welsh ace is going nowhere, said Bale is recovering from a knock he had in training.
Marca, who have close links to Real Madrid, mocked Bale’s injury on their front page... the second time in two days he has become subject of their banner headlines.
They continue to report that Bale is on his way to Spain in a deal which would be worth up to £7million per annum.
The newspaper have even quoted Bale’s agent as saying the Welsh wonder has always wanted to play for Real Madrid since he was young.
However, Villas-Boas, is hopeful Bale will be fully recovered for Tottenham’s next match on their far east tour this weekend.
