Gareth Bale has recently revealed a secret deal that prevented him from moving to Manchester United.
Bale was on United’s radar since his youth, when he was shining at Southampton. However, he eventually signed for Tottenham, where he transformed from a left-back into a devastating striker and became a superstar of world football.
After a remarkable season in which he scored 26 goals and won the Player of the Year award, it was time for Bale to take the next step in his career. He moved to Real Madrid for 100 million euros, a world record at the time.
However, United were also very interested in the Welshman and it was reported that then-manager David Moyes wanted to make Bale the big signing that would usher in a new era at Old Trafford following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
In an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, Bale revealed that he had held talks with United, specifically with Moyes. He also admitted that United’s offer was higher than what Real Madrid paid.
“United and Madrid were the two teams. Yes, I spoke to United. In fact, they made a bigger offer than Madrid,” Bale said.
He explained that his heart was set on Real Madrid and that he had a special agreement with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who did not want to sell the player to a Premier League rival.
Under what Bale called a “gentlemen’s agreement”, a move outside England would be allowed if Tottenham failed to qualify for the Champions League. This came after Spurs finished fifth in the Premier League.
“I spoke to David Moyes. Not Ed Woodward, maybe my agent spoke to him. My heart was set on Madrid.”
“I had an agreement with Daniel Levy, more of a gentlemen’s agreement, because he didn’t want to sell me to a rival,” he stated.