PSG will go to all lengths for Welsh winger

PSG “will do everything in their power” to sign Bale

Paris Saint-Germain “will do everything in their power” to attract Gareth Bale to the French capital, according to the person who brought him to White Hart Lane, say the Daily Mail.

Former Tottenham director of football, Damien Comolli, identified Bale as a future prospect while at Southampton and advised Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to sign the Welshman in 2007.

Bale has been the main threat in a Tottenham side that sit third in the Premier League and are in pole position to claim Europe’s elite prize; Champions League football, with North London rivals Arsenal seven points adrift in fifth place.

Comolli told the Sun: “When you leave Tottenham and you are a player like Bale, there are only three or four clubs you can go to.

“If PSG know the player is on the market – and there is a possibility – it wouldn’t surprise me if they did everything in their power to get him.”

Bale would be offered a huge deal to move to Paris, as the French club aren’t shy to throw their money about, in their attempt to make the club a world superpower.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Sliva were brought to the Parc de Princes in the summer, David Beckham was added to the roster in January and Bale would be a huge coup over the rest of Europe.

The 23 year old has impressed domestically and abroad scoring 11 goals in 2013, attracting the interest of Europe’s elite, with Spanish duo Real Madrid and Barcelona showing interest.

Bale has hinted that the French leaders could be out of the question if he is to leave North London. He told French TV show Telefoot: “PSG are a great team. This is a club for the future, but they are still not at the level of great clubs. Not like Bayern, Real or Barcelona.”

Clubs will have to pay huge sums for the winger, Real Madrid are rumoured to be weighing up a £110 million package to land the winger, knowing they will have to compete with a pay rise at White Hart Lane if Spurs make the Champions League.

Bale hasn’t ruled out staying in North London and Daniel Levy will fight to keep his man by shattering his strict wage structure, offering the Welshman up to £160,00 a week.

PSG can fight fire with fire in the financial department, the big stumbling block for the French side will be the player’s needs. Bale’s footballing needs will see him stay at Spurs or move to either Spain or Germany, wage needs would land him in France.

If Bale can believed through his quotes, it is his footballing needs that will prevail; then it will all depend on whether Champions League football will make its return to White Hart Lane next season.

Modric could make a quick U turn back to England

Real Madrid failure Luka Modric is looking for a way back to England before his career in Spain has even got underway. 

The former Tottenham midfielder hasn’t managed to set La Liga alight this season, producing some patchy performances resulting in him being voted the worst summer transfer in Spain on Marca’s website.

The Croatian has started just eight league games this season and scored  only one goal in 19 appearances in all competitions since his £33 million move from White Hart Lane, being unable to force his way into the side in front of Mesut Ozil, Jose Callejon and Angel di Maria.

Modric knows he hasn’t lived up to expectations, much like he failed to do so in his early career with Tottenham, he told Sportske.net: “This is Real Madrid, I know the huge media pressure on transfers.

“I’m not looking for an alibi, I’m not that guy, but it’s very demanding to adjust to a huge club like Real Madrid.

“I have had some solid performances, I have failed in some but overall I proved I can offer something.”

The Daily Mail suggests there are a whole host of English clubs showing interest in the 27 year old  if he does want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu. Those interested are the two Manchester giants, Chelsea and a return to Tottenham shouldn’t be ruled out. It is unlikely he will move in January but a summer move is  highly possibile if he doesn’t come to terms with life in the Spanish capital.

Manchester United have been linked with a number of attacking midfielders with Paul Scholes’ second retirement on the cards. Wesley Sniejder is the favourite to fill his boots at the moment and with the Champions League clash between United and Madrid would the Spaniards really let  Modric go to Old Trafford. Another reason Old Trafford may not be his destination are the rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo is unsettled and wants a return to Manchester. With the huge amount of cash it is going to take to get the Portugal captain out of Madrid in the summer will they be able to afford Modric.

United’s city rivals have also shown interest, with the absence of Yaya Toure due to the African Cup of Nations it might be an option. Roberto Mancini has expressed his attraction for the Croatian and after failing to bring Daniele De Rossi to the Etihad he might pursue the situation if Modric becomes available.

If it’s not Manchester, London will be his destination. A move back to White Hart Lane is a possibility. Madrid have shown interest and are pushing for a move for Spurs midfielder Gareth Bale, so a switch could be on the cards, but that all depends on Welshman’s wishes. If  Bale doesn’t want to leave Andre Villas Boas’ side, Tottenham will have to stump up the money, which they might not have at the moment, but it won’t cost £33 million this time to complete the deal.

My favourite to sign the 27 year old is Chelsea. Modric has nearly signed for the Stamford Bridge side in the last two summers, but stuck with Spurs then moved to Madrid. He would fit right in with the Chelsea midfield and he should be guaranteed a starting position. With Frank Lampard getting ever closer to the end of his Chelsea days, Roman Abramovich will be looking for a big name to take over; and when the Russian has his heart set on something he usually gets it.

Will Sir Alex genuinely pursue Standard Liege transfer?

Alex Ferguson believes Tottenham should be investigated for manipulating transfer rules after signing Zeki Fryers from Standard Liege for around £3 million the Daily Mail states.

Perhaps it’s not surprising that Ferguson is complaining;  he usually does when he comes off second best and won’t like to appear outsmarted. United sold the 20 year old in the summer to the Belgian club, after him being on trial at White Hart Lane.  Spurs turned the move down as they felt the fee too high, it would have been in the region of £6 million through the compensation rule.

The deal that has been agreed between Tottenham and Standard Liege will leave United around £3 million out of pocket, due to the fact that the ruling doesn’t cover teams in Belgium and Ferguson believes there will be a “trail” of evidence that proves his point.

Sir Alex told the Daily Mail: ” I’m disappointed in Tottenham, I really am.”

“I think it’s a blatant manipulation of the situation. They tried to buy him at the end of last season and we couldn’t agree terms.

“They took him on trial and to Portugal with the Tottenham squad and came back and said they couldn’t afford him. All of a sudden he signs for Standard Liege.

“The Premier League should stop the registration until they examine it. There will be a trail of mobile phone (records) or something it’s obvious to me.”

The Belgian club stated that Fryers who has represented England Under 16s, 17s and 19s, was feeling homesick after joining the club and they couldn’t stand in his way.

If the roles were reversed Ferguson wouldn’t hesitate in making the deal. Spurs may have manipulated the situation, they may not have, but in signing the player they have broken no rules. Sir Alex coming out with the remarks he has, could be construed as calling Tottenham and Standard Liege liars and in some ways cheats if we are not to take what the parties are telling as on face value. If we don’t accept their version, then what they have done may not be ethical but equally it isn’t illegal.

Rules and regulations in all walks of life get manipulated by people and organisations to favour themselves and you just have to accept it and move on, even if we don’t like it.

We all know Sir Alex isn’t adverse to a good moan when things go against him and in this instance it could be the case that he may have just been publicly out thought and out witted; which really does rile him.

http://threeandin.com/2013/01/07/will-sir-alex-genuinely-pursue-standard-liege-transfer/