Real Madrid president reveals Gareth Bale's exact transfer fee

Bale in action for Real Madrid

Real Madrid president Florentio Perez has confessed that new signing Gareth Bale originally cost the club €91 million, acknowledging that the player had been insured for this exorbitant transfer sum, FIFA.com reports.

When asked if the €91 million rumours were true, Perez said: “Yes, sure”.

“It’s a life insurance, against accidents. Bale is insured for the amount he cost,” he added, confirming that the player is insured against accidents and other incidents that will prematurely end his playing career.

The exact price of Gareth Bale was kept a secret by Real Madrid and Tottenham until now.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be the world’s costliest player after joining Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 for a fee of €94 million.

Perez shot down claims made by Spanish tabloid Marca that Bale suffered a herniated disc, which has restricted his appearances for Madrid since his transfer in August.

“They said it was a hernia, but it isn’t. If he had one we would say so like usual,” he said.

“(Bale) hopes to be able to play on Saturday. His problem, as the whole world knows, is the lack of pre-season training, he suffered a thigh injury.

“But now he’s perfectly fine. I think he’s training normally, hoping to play Saturday,” added Perez.