Tottenham Hotspur legend Gareth Bale could be on his way to a surprise return to England, after details of “secret talks” over a club takeover have come to light.
When Bale left Tottenham for Real Madrid in September 2013 – in a then world-record £85.1 million transfer – he left his mark as one of the Premier League’s best players.
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A legendary career
The Welshman spent six years at Spurs and scored 26 goals in his final season, earning him both the PFA Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year. He also returned to the club on loan in the 2020/21 season, where he recorded 11 goals and two assists in 20 games.
Secret conversations about Plymouth Argyle
Now, however, it looks like Bale could make a surprise return to English football in a very different way. According to a report from The Telegraph, the former star is said to be the front figure for an American private investment group’s attempt to buy Plymouth Argyle in the coming months.
The report claims that talks about a deal have already taken place, with members of the US Storch family also involved. While it is not known how far the discussions have progressed, Bale is said to have been involved in the plans that will give the group full control of the Home Park club.
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The club needs new investors
Plymouth’s current chairman, Simon Hallett, has reportedly been looking for investors for at least a year. An agreement to sell a stake in the club was recently made, but it fell through last month.
Now, however, it seems that Bale and his group believe the time is ripe to invest in Argyle, who recently hired former Watford boss Tom Cleverley as their new manager after being relegated from the Championship in May.
Star involvement in club acquisitions – a trend
Bale’s involvement in this acquisition follows a trend of well-known names being linked to club investments. In April, his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić was the front figure for an American takeover of Swansea City. NFL legend Tom Brady and golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have also invested in English clubs.
If the deal goes through, Bale could make a spectacular return to English football – this time at management level.
