NEW YORK, Sporting Alert — Gareth Bale has been heavily linked with a move away from Real Madrid this summer but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has rubbished reports about him making a move for the Welshman.
Bale looks certain to leave the Spanish giants this summer following a public spat with returning head coach Zinedine Zidane, who admitted that the forward is not in his future plans.
Despite winning four European Cups and a La Liga crown since making his £85 million move from Tottenham in 2013, Bale has been told by Zidane that he should to leave the club.
Several of the top clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, Tottenham and Bayern Munich have been strongly linked with the Real Madrid outcast, but Klopp has dismissed media talk of Liverpool plotting a move — acknowledging that he would be ‘outstandingly expensive’ for the English Premier League side.
“Bale will be outstandingly expensive,” the German tactician told Sky Sports News ahead of his club’s pre-season match against Sporting Lisbon.
http://gty.im/594802696“These fantastic football players have some strange ideas. I respect them all so much, but they probably only say these things because somebody asked them.
“Bale is a Real Madrid player and if he leaves it will be outstandingly expensive and big wages.”
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Klopp said Liverpool’s target this summer is to build a complete team rather than signing individuals.
“He is an outstanding player, I like him a lot but it is not about him. You have to create a team,” the manager said. “A team is not a collection of the best individual players, they have to work together.
“Liverpool is a long-term project. The team is really good. Will there be difficult situations?
“Probably. There would be if we bring in a new player, or two or three. I didn’t say we won’t do anything, it is going to be a big window for sure but people don’t think about the people who are already in.
“Sometimes you have to calm the situation down, pay your bills, have a normal life and live in the house before you build a new one.”
Bale has been reportedly wanted in China, but the former Tottenham attacker has been warned that he needs to stay in Europe is he wants to continue being effective.
Real Madrid are looking to sell the player and has ruled out a loan move.
Liverpool will take on Sporting Lisbon at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.
Paul Ince Backs Liverpool Bale Move
Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince recently backed the Reds to sign Bale, but is also concerned about his fee.
“My opinion is if Liverpool can afford him, he should go there,” Ince, who who played 81 times for the Anfield club in the 1990s, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Liverpool’s front three haven’t had much rest before the season – Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have played all over the summer.
“Bale can play right, left or central. If I was looking at a team if they could afford him, it would be Liverpool. He needs to re-invent himself as a player and play football week in, week out.
“He would have to take a massive wage drop. It can’t be about money for Bale. He has to go to a team who can win things.”
Ince added: “Liverpool are European champions and they want to make a massive challenge in the league again.
“Who else could afford him? Man City maybe, Man United and I don’t think Tottenham would be the right club.
“I would like to see him at Liverpool. He still has four or five years left. I think he’d be a perfect fit.”
