Should Gareth Bale return to the Premier League this summer?

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League this summer with reports that the Spanish giants are willing to sacrifice him to land a new Galactico, such as Eden Hazard or Christian Eriksen. There are also strong links to Manchester United – who have been linked with the 29-year-old more-or-less every transfer window since his move to Madrid six years ago.

Bale has been on the receiving end of criticism and abuse form the Los Blanco’s fans in the past – including attacks on his car when leaving the Bernabeu – however, that criticism has grown again this season as the winger was expected to fill Cristiano Ronaldo’s boots, which hasn’t been the case as Real Madrid are third placed in La Liga – already nine points behind leaders Barcelona, while Bale has only found the net six times.

Bale left Spurs six years ago for the Spanish capital and has won multiple trophies since – including four Champions League medals. The 29-year-old set the Premier League alight before his massive move to Spain, scoring 42 goals and setting up a further 20 in his 146 appearances and picking up the Player of the Season award in his last season.

Although he hasn’t always been consistent at Madrid he has shown his quality on several occasions – including his great solo goal against Barca, when he left Alba behind with his lightning pace and, of course, his jaw-dropping overhead kick against Liverpool in last years Champions League final.

It is reported that Bale has struggled to adapt to life in Spain and despite living there for the last six years – he is yet to even learn the language. Bale, more than likely, wouldn’t have a problem adapting back to the Premier League if he moved back to England.

Bale is also struggling for a starting place under Santiago Solari at the minute as 18-year-old Vinicius Junior has nicked his position in the starting 11. He has starting just once in Madrid’s last five La Liga games, while the Madrid boo-boys have been on his back again in recent weeks. If fit, he would be one of the first names on the team sheet at Manchester United or Chelsea – or any of the top teams in the Premier League that have been linked with him.

At 29-years-old he is in the peak years of his career and with Madrid in decline since the departure of Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, this summer seems the perfect opportunity for him to return to England and try add the famous Premier League title to his packed trophy cabinet.

Following Chelsea’s two window transfer ban, it now seems as if it is a two-horse race in the Premier League to land Bale between both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Spurs may not have the money to fund a move for Bale, but they do have an asset that Real Madrid want in Christian Eriksen, who is also close to entering the final 12 months of his contract and looks no closer to agreeing terms on a new deal.

There would be few more satisfying compensation packages for Spurs fans than to see one of the club’s modern day heroes return to the club, also doing so in time for them to move into their new stadium.

Bale’s fitness is certainly a concern, but the prospect of him lining up alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son in attack is a tantalising one. They may lose creativity in midfield from Eriksen’s departure, but they will add a fourth genuine goal threat that has the potential to score 20+ goals in all competitions in the Welshman, as well as creating a huge buzz and distraction amongst supporters as they lose the Dane.

The other option is Manchester United, who look revitalised and a legitimate option for him once again under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. From a financial perspective United is certainly the best option for him, with United able to offer more money than Spurs and additional marketing revenue with Adidas and other sponsors.

Bale would effectively become the face of one of the biggest clubs in world football, something which has never really happened during his time in Madrid due to the presence of Ronaldo.

The 29-year-old could play alongside the likes of David De Gea, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford and become a member of a squad which looks to be 4-5 players shy of really challenging in the Premier League.

Bale could be the first piece of the puzzle for United and finally make the move to the club six years after he rejected the opportunity to play under David Moyes following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.A return to Spurs would be the sentimental choice for him and could well be the better football pick, also. Tottenham are nine points clear of United in the table and Bale is already a hero at White Hart Lane, whilst also joining a team which has one of the world’s best strikers in Harry Kane.

However, whether or not they would have the funds to support a move to get Real Madrid’s no.11 on their books is something which remains to be seen, with United having no hesitation to throw money at big-name signings.

Whichever path he ultimately goes down, it seems this summer could well be the time that we see Bale back in the Premier League.