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Gareth Bale: Why Chelsea will BEAT Man Utd to Real Madrid star - Paul Merson
GARETH BALE is more likely to join Chelsea than Manchester United, claims former Arsenal hero Paul Merson.
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Bale’s future at Real Madrid is in doubt following explosive comments from his agent.
The Welshman has been booed and jeered by Madrid supporters, something agent Jonathan Barnett cannot understand.
"This generation of Real fans will be talking about Gareth's goals for years to come," Barnett said.
"They should be ashamed of themselves. Those fans should be kissing his feet.
Probably Chelsea are probably the only ones really who are going to pay that kind of money
"Gareth deserves the greatest of respect. The way Real fans have treated him is nothing short of a disgrace.”
Barnett says Bale will not be leaving Real this summer but Merson was asked where he could go if he were to return to the Premier League.
Manchester United have been previously linked with the 29-year-old but Merson cannot see that deal happening.
So he reckons Chelsea is a more likely bet, if the Blues’ appeal against their transfer ban is successful.
“I would have said Man United a while back,” Merson said on Sky Sports News.
“But now you’re looking at [Marcus] Rashford, you’re looking at [Anthony] Martial.
“Would they pay that kind of money for him? I think it’s hard, I don’t know.
“Probably Chelsea are probably the only ones really who are going to pay that kind of money.
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“You’ve got [Callum] Hudson-Odoi, and then you’ve got the transfer embargo.
“They’ve appealed, if they get another one you never know whether they’re just going to go mad in the transfer market and buy three or four players.
“I don’t see too many places opening up for him.
"I thought it would be Man United but I don’t see that now.”
Bale and Real Madrid are aiming to make the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday as they host Ajax in their last-16 second leg, leading 2-1 from the return match.
Bale started the match on the bench.