Merson Reveals A Key Reason Why Chelsea Could Beat United To Signing Of Bale

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes Chelsea are favourites ahead of Manchester United to sign Gareth Bale if the Welshman leaves Real Madrid this summer.

The TV pundit says that the strength of United’s frontline with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial means the former Tottenham winger is not a priority:

“I would have said Man United a while back. But now you’re looking at Rashford, you’re looking at Martial. Would they pay that kind of money for him? I think it’s hard, I don’t know.”

“Probably Chelsea are probably the only ones really who are going to pay that kind of money. You’ve got Hudson-Odoi, and then you’ve got the transfer embargo.”

“They’ve appealed if they get another one you never know whether they’re just going to go mad in the transfer market and buy three or four players.”

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a £200m summer transfer spree if their two-window transfer ban is lifted during their appeal. However, FIFA have stated that a decision has yet to be made on whether this will happen:

“Any decision on the sanction remaining in place during the appeal process is to be taken by the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee.”

FIFA are likely mindful of what has happened in the past. The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all previously appealed against bans as a tactic to continue making transfers.

Whether the Blues will be allowed to do a similar thing, it remains to be seen. A move for Bale or any other player this summer is, therefore, very much in doubt.