Trap bemused by Bale talk

11 August 2013 23:01

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni feels no player is worth the £105million fee Real Madrid are reportedly ready to pay for Wales international Gareth Bale.

The Tottenham winger has been included in Wales boss Chris Coleman's squad for Wednesday's friendly against the Republic in Cardiff, despite his club boss Andre Villas-Boas stating he is unlikely to be fit for their Premier League opener at Crystal Palace due to a foot injury.

The 24-year-old continues to be linked with a world record move to Spanish giants Madrid but, no matter his talents as a footballer, Trapattoni insists there is no one player who justifies such a vast expenditure.

He said: "Today with the media, and a famous name, the more you speak about players the more the money goes up, especially with all the money in the game.

"I once had a great club president in Gianni Agnelli at Juventus, who was head of Fiat.

"He had a lot of money, but there were situations when he said I could not spend a lot of money because he had many people working for him who were working class. He told me to look for other players. I remember his words like it is today.

"This money (the reported fee for Bale), for me there is no player valued at that much money.

"One player cannot win a game on his own. Even players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele or Johan Cruyff, all these famous players needed a team."

It remains to be seen whether Bale will play any part at Cardiff City Stadium, but Trapattoni admits he has some empathy with the situation opposite number Coleman finds himself in.

He said: "I had this with many teams when I managed Italy.

Source: PA