FC Barcelona Want Gareth Bale

FC Barcelona want Gareth Bale next year in £25m deal - report


Barcelona are reportedly ready to launch a bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale - but will only offer a deal worth a maximum £25million.

Bale has been on Barca's radar for some time and coach Pep Guardiola has made signing a new left-sided player a priority for 2012.

Guardiola has sent scouts to watch Bale play for Spurs on more than one occasion and according to the Daily Mirror, the Spaniard has made him his number one transfer target for next summer.

The Wales international, who is also believed to be on Real Madrid's radar, last month admitted that he would be open to a move to Spain in the future, although he insisted he was happy at White Hart Lane right now.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp believes only the likes of Barca, Madrid and Manchester City would be able to sign the "unstoppable" 22-year-old, but he is likely to try and prevent a move happening at the end of the season.

Tottenham value Bale at around £40million but that price tag does not appear to have deterred some of Europe's elite from showing interest, with Italian giants AC Milan and rivals Inter also thought to be keen on the former Southampton player, along with Chelsea.

But according to Friday's report, Barcelona will offer just £25m for Bale and are also preparing a cash-plus-player deal worth £20m plus several of the club's youngsters.

The reigning Spanish and European champions will try to raise extra transfer funds by offloading full-back Maxwell and midfielder Seydou Keita next year.