The 25-year-old moved to Santiago Bernabeu from Tottenham in a world-record €100 million deal in the summer of 2013 but could have commanded even more to go to Old Trafford.Manchester United offered more than Real Madrid to sign him.
Bale moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Tottenham for a world-record fee of €100 million and went on to win the Copa Del Rey and Champions League in his debut season in Spain, scoring decisive goals in both finals.
Jonathan Barnett revealed that Bale also attracted interest from Barcelona and is adamant his client will one day emulate team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by winning the Ballon d'Or.
"I'm sure that he will be the best player in the world," he told AS. "He will win the Ballon d'Or. He's 25 years old! I told the president and Jose Angel Sanchez and they laughed. They don't laugh much now.
"I told them that Bale was a better player than Neymar and has more impact. In Wales there are fewer people than in Brazil, unfortunately. But in the world I think Gareth is more known and important."
Barnett says United were willing to pay even more than the record breaking fee Madrid paid to acquire the flying Welshman, but the player's personal desire to join the Spanish giants scuppered their chances.
"It was one of the biggest [transfers]," the agent said of the deal. "And that one is an honour for me, because I knew Gareth when he was so young and I could make his dream real... he always wanted to play for Real Madrid.
"He could have signed with United or other teams, but he wanted Madrid."
When asked to clarify whether the Red Devils' offer exceeded even that of Madrid, he replied: "Not much more...but more."
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