"Bale should cost more than Neymar - he's a better player"

Posted Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Marca.com

Jonathan Barnett – the agent of Gareth Bale, who is Real Madrid's number-one transfer target – was interviewed on Tuesday by TV programme 'Futboleros' on MARCA TV.

When asked how much the player would cost and if he would be more expensive than Neymar, Barnett replied: "Bale is better than Neymar. He's proved himself in the best league in the world – the Premier League. I would hope that any club who wants him, wants him not because they lost Neymar. I would think he'd have to be their first choice".

The Welshman's agent made it clear that Real must speak to Tottenham, but indicated that they were open to negotiation: "If somebody like Mr Pérez was interested in Gareth Bale it would be a great honour and we would listen, but he's under contract at Tottenham. We're not free to talk to anybody at this point in time".

Barnett remained tight-lipped over possible negotiations with other clubs: "I don't know if any offers have been made. What I do know is that he still has three years left on his contract".

In England there has been talk of the winger agreeing a new improved deal at White Hart Lane in order to persuade the player to stay. However, Barnett denied the rumour: "No, we haven't spoken to anybody".

Bale could well be weighing up stepping up to the next level and the player has never hidden his admiration for Real Madrid and especially for Cristiano Ronaldo. The fact that Spurs failed to make it into the Champions League could be the final deal-breaker for the Welsh wizard.