Bale cost world record 100 million euros
Welsh star Gareth Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 for a world record
fee in excess of 100 million euros ($109 million, £77 million), a leaked
report reveals.
Whistleblowing website Football Leaks posted a copy of the agreement between Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur online on Wednesday.
The deal allowed Madrid the option of paying 91,589,842 euros in one
lump sum within 15 days of the transfer, or 99,743,542 euros in four
instalments over three years.
Madrid also agreed to pay a solidarity fee of 1,015,875 euros and
forego any outstanding payments on the transfer of Dutch midfielder
Rafael Van der Vaart to Tottenham from Madrid in 2013.
Numerous Spanish media outlets reported Madrid had taken up the four instalment option.
Real Madrid refused to comment when contacted by AFP on Thursday.
However, Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett called for an investigation into how the documents came to be leaked.
“There should be an inquiry and an independent investigation because it’s outrageous,” he told The Telegraph.
“There also needs to be an apology from the Football Association to the clubs and the player.
“I think it’s disgraceful that people can get hold of this sort of
stuff. It shows complete disregard for both clubs and the player.”
Real have long maintained Bale only cost 91 million euros.
Indeed another provision of the contract states Madrid would cite
that figure to the media, whilst Tottenham wouldn’t release any
statement regarding the transfer fee.
In exchange, Madrid agreed to ensure Bale wouldn’t make any “negative
or derogatory comments” regarding Tottenham and their chairman Daniel
Levy.
Madrid were reluctant to announce a world record fee to appease
Bale’s teammate and three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano
Ronaldo, whose move from Manchester United to Madrid for 94 million
euros in 2009 was the previous record.
Bale has consistently been linked with a move back to England with United among those rumoured to be interested.
However, according to the agreement, Tottenham have a right of first
refusal should Madrid sell Bale back to the Premier League before 2019.
Bale enjoyed a stellar first season in Madrid, scoring in the finals
as Real won the Champions League and Copa del Rey against rivals
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
However, after a poor second season, the 26-year-old has been hampered by injuries so far this year.
He is expected to be out for the next three weeks after picking up
his fifth calf muscle injury since joining Madrid in Sunday’s 5-1 win
over Sporting Gijon.
Yet, Madrid sports daily Marca reported on Thursday that the club are
set to offer Bale a new contract on improved terms until 2021.