Chelsea legend Joe Cole has revealed that he would love to have seen Gareth Bale sign for the Blues during an exclusive interview conducted with The Sun.
As The Sun report, Bale appeared to be on the verge of an astronomically financed move to China, but Real Madrid president Florentino Perez scuppered the deal at the eleventh hour.
Bale now looks set to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu and play under a manager who appeared to have no interest in keeping him as part of the squad.
This is a player who was previously considered one of the best in the world. His stock has fallen so far, yet his quality appears to be in tact, as he has shown in flashes.
Cole, who knows Chelsea better than most, has now revealed that he would like to see the Welshman playing in blue. He’s quoted by The Sun saying:
“I’m surprised [at the lack of Prem interest]. I’d love to [see him at Chelsea]. Every club in the country would like to see Gareth Bale walking through the door but it’s more a question of can they get the deal done. Maybe they’re looking at him, he’s missed a few games over the last two years. Maybe it’s a financial thing.”
“I know one thing for sure, whoever Gareth Bale is playing for in a few weeks time is going to get one hell of a player. Whether that be Real Madrid, over in China or back in the Premier League. I think he still has a lot to offer. I still think there is more for him to achieve, maybe win the Ballon d’Or if he plays to his potential.”
The transfer ban is an obvious hurdle, but even looking beyond that, we struggle to see how Chelsea would be capable of paying Bale’s astronomical wage, let alone willing to do so.
What do you think, Blues?
