logo
Gareth Bale ‘would be heavily involved' if Cardiff takeover goes ahead

Gareth Bale ‘would be heavily involved' if Cardiff takeover goes ahead

Rhyl Journal3 days ago

Bale spoke publicly about his interest in purchasing the League One club on Monday, saying it would be a 'dream come true' if a deal could be done.
A source close to the former Wales captain told the PA news agency on Tuesday Bale would not be content to be a bit-part player in any takeover.
Asked what sort of role Bale might take on, the source said: 'A very significant one. He is not going to be a bit-part player. This is a guy who has been super-successful and doesn't need to put his name to something just for the sake of it. He would be heavily involved. He believes he is the right person for this.
'Cardiff is the only club he wants to do a deal for. Now's the time, with the club in the doldrums, to put some TLC into the club and get them back to the Premier League.'
The Bale consortium is believed to feature both British and American investors.
Speaking on the red carpet at the premiere for F1: The Movie on Monday evening, Bale told Sky Sports: 'We are interested in getting Cardiff. It's my home (town) club, it's where I grew up and my uncle used to play for them. To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true.'
Bale's camp accepts the decision to sell ultimately rests with Cardiff owner Vincent Tan.
'If (Tan) is willing to sell it, there is no better person as far as custodianship, and with the correct intentions to the place, than Gareth,' the source close to Bale said.
Cardiff declined to comment on the Bale consortium's interest when contacted by PA on Tuesday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tottenham transfer got ‘cancelled by angry club' after medical due to clause row
Tottenham transfer got ‘cancelled by angry club' after medical due to clause row

Daily Mirror

time43 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Tottenham transfer got ‘cancelled by angry club' after medical due to clause row

Tottenham were on the verge of signing Fulham striker Moussa Dembele in January 2016, but the deal was dramatically cancelled at the last minute despite the player wanting the move Tottenham were once close to signing Fulham's Moussa Dembele - only for the transfer to be scrapped at the eleventh hour after the forward had already completed his medical. In January 2016, Spurs were hot on the heels of rivals Arsenal and surprise Premier League contenders Leicester City in their pursuit of a first Premier League title. Spurs had Harry Kane in their ranks following his incredible breakthrough 18 months earlier. Yet club chairman Levy identified the need to strengthen the side's attacking options and provide support for Kane as they sought to compete in the second half of the season. ‌ Fulham 's promising striker, Dembele - not to be confused with Spurs' own dynamic midfielder at the time - was subsequently targeted as Spurs' main January target. Levy negotiated a bargain £6million deal with Fulham for the then-19-year-old, whose contract was due to run out that summer. ‌ Dembele even passed a Spurs medical two days before the January transfer deadline, with the move seemingly a done deal. However, the West Londoners were keen for their talented youngster to return to Craven Cottage until the end of the 2015/16 season due to their efforts to battle relegation and a transfer embargo that left them unable to sign any replacements in January. They hoped to agree a deal that would still see them receive a fee for Dembele despite him becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Spurs, however, were unimpressed by Fulham's demands and insisted he be allowed to join their squad immediately. The Guardian reported that the disagreement led to Fulham 'angrily' cancelling the deal with Tottenham. Negotiations were not revived, and the forward was said to be left bitterly disappointed. The Lilywhites didn't end up buying a player in January and finished third that season, while Leicester City remarkably clinched the league title with a ten-point margin. ‌ In the following summer, Spurs signed Moussa Sissoko and Vincent Janssen, while Dembele joined Scottish giants Celtic on a four-year contract. He had two successful seasons there, scoring 51 goals in 94 appearances and winning two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. In 2018, Dembele returned to his home country, signing for Lyon where he netted 70 goals in 172 appearances between 2018 and 2023. He then joined the influx of former big names moving to the Saudi Pro League in July 2023, signing for Al-Ettifaq as a free agent. Despite a disappointing season for the team, Dembele, having been one of Steven Gerrard's first signings, scored 14 goals in 26 appearances. Still just 28 years old, he registered seven goals and four assists in 21 games for Al-Ettifaq in 2024/25. The team finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League, with the ship steadying following Gerrard's departure after the side had been left just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Revealed: Why Max Verstappen SNUBBED Lewis Hamilton's F1 film after he 'refused' to take part in nightclub scene with Brad Pitt
Revealed: Why Max Verstappen SNUBBED Lewis Hamilton's F1 film after he 'refused' to take part in nightclub scene with Brad Pitt

Daily Mail​

time43 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Revealed: Why Max Verstappen SNUBBED Lewis Hamilton's F1 film after he 'refused' to take part in nightclub scene with Brad Pitt

Max Verstappen has admitted that he would prefer to stay at home and look after his two-month old baby rather than attend black tie events after he snubbed two premieres for Lewis Hamilton 's new F1 film. 'F1', which counts seven-time world champion Hamilton as an executive producer, was released on Wednesday amid fanfare from fans and drivers. Formula One stars were given a first glimpse of the movie, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, in a private screening before the Monaco Grand Prix last month. The film's premiere in New York was attended by drivers Lando Norris, Ollie Bearmam, Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz. But Verstappen swerved both events and admitted he has not even watched the film yet, instead preferring to spend time looking after his newborn. The Red Bull driver welcomed his first child at the beginning of May with partner Kelly Piquet. The Dutchman, 27, told The Sun: 'Being authentic is not something I have to try and focus on. It's just who I am. 'I don't like to be on the red carpet and dress up in a suit. I don't like to interact with people that I don't really know, and have a fake smile and fake chat. It's horrible, I just don't enjoy it. 'I prefer to hang out with my friends and spend time with my little family. I also have a lot of other projects going on outside of F1. 'So any extra work like red carpets is not what I want to do. I'm at a stage of my career where I've achieved so much professionally. 'I'm just focusing outside of it now, like my big passions to make life more enjoyable and not just being performance driven.' 'With the nappies, some are more smelly than others!' The four-time world champion even declined to take part in an extra nightclub scene for the film with Brad Pitt. Other drivers took a greater interest in the movie. 'I'll just say, for the pure F1 fan, be open-minded to Hollywood films,' Williams driver Carlos Sainz said. Formula One teams were keen to help producers and granted the actors unprecedented access to their facilities. McLaren handed them access to their Woking headquarters while Williams allowed them to use their wind tunnel for four days. Silverstone was essentially rented out to film-makers for three months in summer 2023, leaving junior drivers unable to use the track. Hamilton's production company Dawn Apollo features in the opening credits and has been credited with playing a decisive role as he helped train Pitt and Idris in Formula 2 cars. Joseph Kosinski, who was behind Top Gun: Maverick, and directed the latest potential blockbuster, revealed ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix: 'Lewis was the first person I reached out to. 'I sent him an email and said, 'I want to make it as authentic as possible. Will you help me?' And luckily, Lewis said, 'Yes'. 'He was involved in all the technical details with fascinating advice. In Hungary, for instance, he said, 'If Brad's going to let someone pass during a blue flag and he wants it to be as tight as possible, he's only going to do that at turn six'. That kind of detail, I couldn't have gotten from anywhere else.'

Spain's Aitana Bonmati in hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025
Spain's Aitana Bonmati in hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025

South Wales Argus

timean hour ago

  • South Wales Argus

Spain's Aitana Bonmati in hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025

The 27-year-old Barcelona player, who has won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years, was absent for her country's 3-1 friendly win over Japan on Friday. She posted a picture on Instagram of herself watching the match, which was played in the Spanish city of Leganes, from a hospital bed. Euro 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, with world champions Spain set to begin their campaign a day later against Portugal in Bern. Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati, right, in action against England in February (Zac Goodwin/PA) National team head coach Montse Tome, whose side also face Belgium and Italy in Group B, told a press conference: 'Initially all the tests came back fine but the last one confirmed she has viral meningitis. 'The word is scary but the doctor tells me it's under control. She will remain hospitalised; we don't know the timeline of her recovery. 'She's an extremely important player for us and we will wait for her, no matter what, as long as we have to.' Bonmati was a key member of the Spain squad which won the 2023 World Cup – following victory over England in the final – and the 2024 Nations League.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store