Trapattoni surprised to hear about reported Gareth Bale fee

Giovanni Trapattoni bemused by Bale transfer fee

Current Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, is surprised to hear about probable Gareth Bale transfer fee.

The Tottenham winger is linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid for a record transfer fee. The veteran Italian manager is surprised and bemused about the probable transfer value.

Bale has been included in the Wales squad for Wednesday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff.

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.” he added.

“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 or Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele or Johan Cruyff, all these famous players needed a team.”

It is to be seen whether Bale features in the friendly against Ireland on Wednesday. Trapattoni has showed sympathy towards the opponent coach, as reported by EuroSport.

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

“When there is a friendly game, the players are very busy, and Bale is an important player.”

“It would be good if he can play, maybe in a friendly my habit would be to guarantee club managers of my intention to only play a player for 45 minutes.” he said.

“But it is not my habit to speak about what other managers ask of their players. I don’t know what he will do with Bale.”