Gareth Bale says Manchester United made bigger offer before Real Madrid move

• Gareth Bale says Manchester United offered more money than Real Madrid in 2013
• The Welsh forward chose Real Madrid after agreeing a potential overseas move with Tottenham
• Bale went on to win five Champions League titles during nine years in Spain

Gareth Bale has revealed that Manchester United made a higher offer for him than Real Madrid before his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, but said he was determined to move to the Spanish giants.

Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for £85.3 million in the summer of 2013 after a lengthy transfer saga. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the former Wales international said United were the only other club to make a serious approach.

“I spoke with David Moyes, but my heart was set on Madrid anyway,” Bale said.

He explained that he had previously reached an informal agreement with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy regarding a potential move abroad.

“And I had something in place with Daniel Levy, more of a gentleman’s agreement,” Bale said.

“Because he didn’t want to sell me to a rival also. If a team did come in from Spain, Italy, Germany or elsewhere, I could potentially go if we didn’t qualify for the Champions League, which we didn’t.”

Bale added that although United were prepared to pay more to secure the deal, negotiations did not progress far.

“I didn’t go down the wages route with United. I didn’t get that far,” he said.

“They offered more money to buy me, and a player as well, but it didn’t really get any legs to be honest.”

The move to Real Madrid proved highly successful. Bale scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for the club and won five Champions League titles and three La Liga championships.

He returned to Tottenham on loan during the 2020-21 season before leaving Real Madrid permanently in 2022.

Bale said he still feels a strong connection with Tottenham, having followed the club closely since retiring.

The north London side currently face a difficult campaign in the Premier League, and Bale suggested their financial approach may be limiting their ability to compete with rivals.

“Maybe they don’t pay as much,” he said. “Look at the wage bill, it’s lower and I think there’s a reason for that.

“You can attract good players, but now you have to be spending 80, 90 or 100 million just to get a top player.

“They always seem to buy young and hope they grow into something bigger. That worked before with me and others.

“But they are an established club now. They have the stadium, the training ground and the fan base. Maybe they need to buy bigger players and pay a bit more.”