Before Real Madrid was able to complete the transfer for Gareth Bale Manchester United made a sensational world-record £100million bid to Tottenham looking to steal the young star.
Mirror Sport has reported that the Welshman even flew back to Spain to hold talks with United officials who were desperate to help boss David Moyes in completing the signing. On Tuesday Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made a public statement to confirm that another club came in for Bale during negotiations back in August.
Perez eventually won rights to Bale after paying a world-record £86m for Bale saying:
"Tottenham did not want to sell and we respected that.
"Then when we found out that Manchester United would be making an offer we made our own.
"Since his childhood he had the dream of playing for Real Madrid and he asked us to make it possible for him to come."
Bale's transfer beat Real's previous world record of £80m which Real paid to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
Last week Madrid confirmed the news on their official website that Ronaldo would sign his new contract, which will allow him to see £15m a year after tax and before bonuses.
The restoration of Ronaldo as Real's most expensive player could help Bale ease the tension in the Madrid locker room as well.
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