Bale not No 1: Real claim they've got £78m star 'on the cheap' to keep Ronaldo as top dog ~ FAMOUS EYE

Bale not No 1: Real claim they've got £78m star 'on the cheap' to keep Ronaldo as top dog

Bale not No 1: Real claim they've got £78m star 'on the cheap' to keep Ronaldo as top dog
Real Madrid on Friday night insisted they have persuaded Tottenham to sell Gareth Bale for £78million — £2m less than the record fee they paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale’s move is expected to be confirmed on Saturday by Real, who will release the money in a staggering one-off payment.
Madrid have secured bank loans to cover the fee, ensuring Ronaldo remains the costliest player in history, something that will no doubt play to his ego.

At last: Real Madrid will pay £78million up front to bring Bale to the Bernabeu

All smiles: Bale is driven around London earlier this week

Ego boost: Ronaldo's £80m transfer from Manchester United will remain as the world record

Tottenham were offered a world record £101m for Bale, but that deal involved three payments and chairman Daniel Levy has instead secured immediate remuneration for a player he paid £7m for in 2008. Bale’s agent first met Madrid officials in June and a six-year contract, which will see the Welshman earn £8.5m a season, was settled on long ago.
An agreement to let Tottenham complete their transfer activity and uncertainty about Madrid’s ability to finance the payment had caused delays.

Delay: Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wanted to confirm new arrivals before selling Bale

Bale could be presented as a Real player on a stage in the Bernabeu on Saturday morning, although Monday is more likely.
Tottenham on Friday completed the signings of £30m forward Erik Lamela from Roma, £11.5m playmaker Christian Eriksen from Ajax and £8.5m defender Vlad Chiriches from Steaua Bucharest.
Lamela and Chiriches immediately joined their team-mates for training.