Martino snipes at ‘disrespectful’ La Liga rivals…
New Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino has aimed a dig at La Liga rivals Real Madrid, by claiming the proposed Gareth Bale transfer fee is disrespectful, reports Reuters.
The Madrid side are closing in on a massive £86m deal for Tottenham’s brilliant Welsh winger Bale, which will make him the most expensive player in the history of football.
Martino though, believes the prices being mentioned are actually disrespectful to other clubs, but also to the world in general.
“Bale’s a very good player,” said Barca’s new Argentinian boss.
“But the numbers are a lack of respect to the world in general.”
Barcelona spent £50m on Brazilian prodigy Neymar earlier in the summer, but Martino obviously thinks the astronomical potential Bale fee is a step too far.
Real Madrid have already spent big this transfer window, bringing in young Spanish duo Isco and Asier Illarramendi for almost £60m. A move for Bale though, would of course blow any previous deals out of the water, and the transfer could be completed by as early as Wednesday.
Martino has more pressing matters to concern him – with four time Ballon D’or winner Lionel Messi limping off during Spanish Super Cup first leg on Wednesday with a potential hamstring injury.
However, Martino has assured fans the substitution was purely precautionary.
“Honestly, I am not worried (about Messi) because I think he is fine,” said Martino, who indicated it was purely precautionary.
“He has been fine since day one and he has been working during his holiday. He got here fit and he has been training every day.”
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