Ancelotti also confirms that Wales international will start against Villareal.
Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Tottenham had a bigger offer than Real Madrid’s for Gareth Bale this summer but says the Welshman wanted to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bale joined Real for a world record £85.3m last month, eclipsing the £80m Real paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s trip to Villareal, the Los Blancos boss also confirmed Bale would make his La Liga debut at El Madrigal but refused to confirm if the 24-year-old would start the match or come off the bench.
Despite reports Bale could play left back in the absence of injured duo Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao, Ancelotti hinted the forward would play from the right wing, with Nacho set to deputise at full back.
Carlo Ancelotti—”There were bids bigger than what Real Madrid offered but he [Bale] wanted to play here”. Does anyone honestly believe that?
— Nik Postinger (@nikpostinger) September 13, 2013
#RMCF boss Carlo Ancelotti: “Bale will travel to Villarreal and will play. I’m not sure if he will start or come off from the bench.”
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 13, 2013
In late August, media reports suggested that a second club had entered the race for Bale but it was speculated that the claims were a ruse from Tottenham to pressure Real into meeting their asking price.
Man United were linked with the former Southampton forward, but Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco and PSG are perhaps the only two clubs in world football who could have bettered Los Merengues’ bid.
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