New Real Madrid signing Gareth Bale is on the
verge of signing another multi-million pound contract, reports claim, just
weeks after completing his world record transfer to Real Madrid.
Sportswear giants Adidas are hopeful the world’s most
expensive footballer will agree a long-term extension to his current boot deal
and personal sponsorship, according to the Daily Mail. The company is understood
by the newspaper to be prepared to pay whatever it takes to keep Bale out of
the clutches of American rivals Nike.
Marquee
Bale’s
present six-figure agreement had surprisingly been allowed to run into its
final year, as the Bavaria-based company hesitated over a decision to make the
24-year-old their marquee player, the paper claims.
The
newspaper reports Adidas remained uncertain over the agreement while the winger
was not playing Champions League football, and it being unlikely he will ever
appear at a World Cup with Wales.
That
has now all changed, with the Welshman completing his move to the Bernabeu.
Also, the fact Adidas supply Real’s kit has helped to influence the deal, the
paper reports.
Bale
has had an association with the company since he was 16, and an Adidas source
is quoted as saying to the newspaper: “We are confident that we can keep
Gareth, who has always been very loyal to the brand.
“The
deal has to be right for both of us. It helps that we have the experience of handling
David Beckham when he was at Real Madrid.”
War
Bale’s
new deal could spark a marketing war with rival company Nike, whose campaigns
are fronted by their poster-boy, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite
now being team-mates, the two most expensive players in the world could go head
to head in the advertising world as the sportswear giants try to transcend each
other, according to the newspaper.
Since
eclipsing Ronaldo’s world record transfer to Madrid, Bale stole the limelight
with a debut goal against Villarreal, only for the Portuguese to wrest it back
the next day by announcing his new five-year deal at the club.
Los
Blancos will be hoping the rivalry between the pair will pay dividends on the pitch,
with Bale set to make his home debut at the Bernabeu against Getafe on Sunday.
