Wednesday 9 August 2017 10:44, UK
Ian Wright says Tottenham should try to convince Gareth Bale to join them this summer.
Speaking on The Debate, our new nightly show on Sky Sports Premier League, Wright said Bale would be "the final piece of the puzzle" for Spurs if they are to become Premier League title contenders.
But he admits it would be difficult for Mauricio Pochettino's side to afford the Wales international.
"I threw something out about him going to Spurs the other day," Wright said. "I've since been reading how much he's earning at Real Madrid and it's around £360,000-a-week net.
"I think even Manchester United would really have to make ends meet to manage that.
"But going back to Spurs, they could sell him the dream of the new stadium and playing with the team they have assembled.
"Would Daniel Levy do it? Everybody I've spoken to has said, 'No he would not'.
"But they could sell him the dream of being the last piece of the puzzle?
"Winning the Premier League with Tottenham would be far better for Gareth than winning it with Manchester United.
"I see Man Utd winning it in the next couple of years but Tottenham need that kind of signing to take them into that realm."
New Sky Sports pundit Alan Pardew agreed with his fellow guest and suggested Spurs need to make key additions to address a lack of depth.
"If Tottenham can keep everybody in their starting XI fit they could win the league," Pardew added.
"Unfortunately for Spurs outside of that XI is not their strength. The 12th, 13th, 14th player needs to be stronger.
"If you brought Gareth Bale in suddenly one of those starters drops to the bench and it looks a lot better.
"I think it will not happen but I would not put it past Manchester United. They have the structure, the history and more importantly the finances.
"But I can't see him ending up at Tottenham."
Jose Mourinho has said it is "game over" for United's pursuit of Bale after the Welshman started Real's 2-1 Super Cup win on Tuesday night.
But Pardew and Wright believe a deal could be resurrected if Real move for Monaco star Kylian Mbappe.
"I can't see how Bale starting means the deal is off," Wright said. "If they are going to get the massive amount of money for the Kylian Mbappe deal, they can get that from Gareth Bale.
"He's the one they could get it for so I don't see why it still can't happen.
"You play one game and the deal is off? That sounds like rubbish.
"If Real Madrid lost Bale I don't think he would be massively missed. He could go to Man Utd and guarantee them the Premier League if he keeps himself fit."
And Pardew added: "In Real Madrid's favour is the performance of Isco, not just tonight but towards the end of last season. He has a tremendous technical ability, much more so that Bale.
"Gareth likes more space. Man Utd have also got a situation where they want a wide player. They are in the market for one so I would not put it past them. It would be the signing of the summer in the Premier League."
Watch The Debate every weeknight at 10pm on Sky Sports Premier League. Wednesday's show features Craig Bellamy and Phil Neville.
