Gareth Bale (center) arrives in Madrid
Gareth Bale arrived in the Spanish capital today to join the ranks of Real Madrid for a record-breaking $132 million. “This is my dream come true,” said the 24-year-old Welsh forward, who will sign a $465,000 a week 6-year contract.
With this new deal topping the 2009 transfer fee paid for Cristiano Ronaldo by $7 million, Real Madrid now looks to put pressure on arch rivals Barcelona, who earlier this summer acquired feted Brazilian striker Neymar.
Last-minute sales of Real Madrid players are meanwhile a possibility before the transfer window closes at 6 PM EST. U.K. club Arsenal is said to be reaching deep into the coffers for German playmaker Mesut Ösil, and Brazilian forward Kaká, once the world’s most expensive player himself, might be headed back to Italy’s AC Milan.
[BBC]