Transfer battles won and lost between Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur (Part 2)
Rafael Van der Vaart (£8 million from Real Madrid):
A mystery that would always remain so until Sir Alex chooses to disclose it himself. The signing of Bebe is still being criticized by many.
Sir Alex himself confirmed that he never actually saw the kid from the slums of Portugal play and he had to pay £7.4 million for the unknown quantity as Tottenham bought Dutch playmaker, Rafael Van der Vaart from Real Madrid for £8 million on transfer day
deadline, in one of the most amazing transfer bargains of the decade so far.
Only two days before this transfer happened, Ferguson had said that the current transfer market is too unreasonable and he would never pay more than a fair amount for a player. Exactly what he was trying to say is still a quandary as he paid £7.4 million
for Bebe from Guimarres when he was originally bought by Guimarres for only £400,000.
Rafael Van der Vaart was slipped away by Manchester United while Tottenham lashed on to the opportunity as the Dutchman signed for Spurs. Since his arrival there, Van der Vaart has been a revelation and has already scored 7 goals in 8 games at home for Spurs.
He has been Spurs’ key so far this season and his direct play and creativity has helped the team immensely while taking the pressure off the players with his versatility.
Bebe, on the other hand, has had to endure a difficult time and so many times, he has been branded as a player not good enough to even feature in Manchester United’s reserve side.
Time is still on Bebe’s side but right now, it’s Spurs who are reaping once again, the rewards for another transfer bargain as Manchester United are struggling to find their pace and have off-field issues where Wayne Rooney himself highlighted Manchester
United’s failure in keeping and buying star players.
Gareth Bale (Possible Future Transfer):
He’s Welsh, he’s left-footed, he has abundant pace and energy, he’s exciting, he scores some great goals and seems to be mature beyond his years.
If there is one player who can replace United legend, Ryan Giggs, it is the 21 year old Gareth Bale who has already started getting attention from a host of Premier League Clubs and some top European Clubs as well.
His first season at White Harte Lane wasn't a good one but the later part of that season saw the 21 year old see more and more game time under the watchful eye of Harry Redknapp. He blossomed from a left back to a left winger and has now cemented his place
in the starting line-up. He is a superstar of his own and as Ryan Giggs is in the twilight of his illustrious career, Gareth Bale must be on Sir Alex’s mind as the rightful replacement for Giggs.
It might be another battle just round the corner. Rooney saga has already forced the Glazers to open a £50 million transfer kitty to buy players for positions that need to be tinkered so it should not come as a surprise for anyone if Manchester United bid
for the exciting Welsh talent.
Tags: