Gareth Bale wants to be heavily involved in Cardiff City takeover and 'now's the time'
Gareth Bale wants to be heavily involved in Cardiff City takeover and 'now's the time'
The former Wales and Real Madrid superstar has spoken out about his desire to be part of a consortium which takes over the Bluebirds
Emma Rhys-Jones and Gareth Bale attend the European Premiere of F1 ® The Movie at Cineworld, Leicester Square
(Image: Getty Images )
Gareth Bale believes he is the right person to lead Cardiff back to the Premier League and intends to be heavily involved if the investment group he is working with complete a takeover, a source close to the 35-year-old has said.
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. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community
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.
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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, however the Supporters' Trust did post their own statement after consulting with members of the club's board.
Keith Morgan, the CCST chair, said: "Claims that an actual bid by a US-based consortium has been made are a bit misleading. As a result of a conversation the Trust has had with the club at board level it seems that no formal bid has been made for the club to consider.
"Rather, a notice of intention to make such an offer was delivered direct to owner Vincent Tan who seems to have had little interest in it and, in the absence of an actual bid, the matter was not progressed further.
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"The board have confirmed that no bid has been received and that one is not anticipated." Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
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