• Premier League

Barcelona won't break bank for Bale

ESPNsoccernet staff
November 15, 2011
Gareth Bale is on international duty with Wales © PA Photos
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Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has broken his silence regarding the Spanish club's reported interest in Gareth Bale and said he values the Tottenham winger at less than £33 million.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola is believed to be a huge fan of Bale after watching his performances in the Champions League last season and sent chief scout Albert Valentine to assess the Wales international during Spurs' 3-1 win at Fulham earlier in November.

Tottenham have said repeatedly they are not willing to sell Bale, but interest from a number of European suitors has pushed his value up to around £50 million.

Barcelona chief Rosell would not confirm his club's interest in Bale but said if they were to make a bid the European champions would not pay over the odds.

"I do not know if Bale interests us," Rosell told Al Jazeera. "If I did, I would not say, because his price would go up. [Tottenham] would not ask for €40 million, but €50 million.

"In any case, even if we wanted him, we would never pay €40 million (£33.2 million) for him."

Bale, 22, signed for Spurs from Southampton for £7 million in 2007 and is under contract until 2015.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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