Manchester City Joins The Race To Sign Gareth Bale

Aug 2, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Real Madrid middle fielder Gareth Bale (11) scores on a penalty kick during the first half against the Manchester United at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Is a bidding war between Manchester City and Manchester United about to take place in the race for the signature of Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale?

If any team in the world can relate to the outrageously high expectations at Manchester City, it is Real Madrid.  It is fair to assume that both clubs would consider the 2014-2015 seasons to be massively disappointing.  Manchester City appears set to finish second in the Barclays Premier League table and Real Madrid will finish second in La Liga.  However, both teams will only be satisfied with trophies and neither club was able to secure one this season.

Another thing these two teams have in common is their interest in the playing future of superstar attacker Gareth Bale.  After an incredibly successful debut season at Real Madrid, the most expensive player in the history of the sport has struggled to live up to the lofty expectations.  A poor relationship with fans at the Santiago Bernabeu and a strained partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo could see Bale look to leave Spain at the end of the season.

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ESPN FC reports that Manchester City could be willing to pay £80 million in the race to sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.  It will not easy for the Citizens to sign Bale, as Manchester United have also shown serious interest in gaining the signature of the Wales International.  The fate of future Manchester Derbies could be decided based on which side of Manchester Gareth Bale chooses.

In order for City to afford the enormous wage demands of Gareth Bale, they will need to sell key players in order to fund the transfer.  Important players including Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, and James Milner could be sold in order to bring Bale to the Etihad.

Manchester City are willing to do whatever it takes in order to achieve UEFA Champions League success.  Gareth Bale would be a fantastic addition to the squad.  The pace of the Welshman and accuracy in front of goal could provide a secondary goal scorer that the squad has lacked in recent years.  A combination of Bale and Aguero in the attack could lead the Citizens to trophies in the near future.

Next: Could Real Madrid's current manager be joining Gareth Bale at Manchester City?