GARETH BALE described Jose Mourinho as a “serial winner” only months before joining him at Tottenham.
A loan deal taking the Welshman back to North London is progressing and expected to be sealed in the coming weeks.
Gareth Bale has previously talked up Tottenham’s appointment of Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jose Mourinho is a long-term admirer of the Welsh wingerCredit: PA:Press Association
It would finally unite the pair, who have had something of a long-distance romance over the years.
Mourinho tried to sign Bale for Real Madrid a year before the LaLiga giants paid Spurs a world record fee for his services, and again while Manchester United boss.
And the player stated last year that there was no “better partnership” than the Portuguese manager and his old club.
Bale said in December: “Having Mourinho there is an amazing statement from the club, I think he’s a serial winner.
“Tottenham want to win trophies and I don’t think there’s a better partnership than Mourinho and Tottenham together to try and win some trophies.”
Bale, 31, has reportedly completed a medical to return to North London.
The final details of the switch are still to be completed with Madrid said to be happy to pay half of his £650,000-a-week wages to get rid of the Welshman.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is certainly desperate to sell the winger, who arrived for £85million in 2013.
But Mourinho, who left that summer to manage Chelsea for a second time, wanted Bale in Madrid during his three years in Spain.
The 57-year-old stated in 2013: “I asked the club to buy him last season but it was not possible.
“It looks like it is happening this season so I am happy for them because they get a fantastic player.
“But the numbers are huge numbers and the kid has to go now and there’s pressure to prove that he’s worth that investment.”
However, it has not always been plain sailing after Mourinho publicly disagreed with Bale in 2014.
The pair both gave their views on whether the Premier League or LaLiga was the superior division, with the Spurs boss backing English football.
He said: “[Bale said LaLiga is better] because he’s there.
“You have to accept what Gareth says, but I was also there.”
He added: “It’s not the best competition for sure, they can have the best team, but not the best competition.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
