If Spain weren't in the Confederations Cup right now and the U21 team weren't in the final of their European competition then the soap opera for Gareth Bale may have already started. Marca concentrate on the actual football in their newspaper edition today but online it's another story. Bale to Real Madrid is their main article and they seem to have gone a little bit crazy with it.

They label him the eleventh Galatico and have been prepared to bend their rules somewhat on what a Galatico actually is.

The list Marca put forward which demonstrates Real Madrid buying the world's very best players is Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Owen, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Ozil and Modric. The latter may feel a little fortunate to be in such a group and even Ozil wasn't truly a Galatico when he agreed to join the club.

Marca say that Real Madrid are keeping the number 11 jersey free because that's what Gareth Bale wants and they claim that soon the 'soap opera' will begin, which is something they'll be involved in to neck height themselves. Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president, didn't do the situation any harm when he said that money wouldn't necessarily ever put off Real Madrid from signing a true world star and they see Gareth Bale as such.

Adidas are also brought into the equation and Marca reckon the sport brand would love him wearing their shirts at Real Madrid and that the combination is a marketing dream, this is surely how Real Madrid would seek to fund and justify such a move. Money from outside parties and increases in current commercial deals was used to help buy Ronaldo from Manchester United and it's the only way they could afford to get anywhere near what Tottenham would want for Gareth Bale.

The newspaper say that Real Madrid are happy to either fast track a possible transfer or wait until the last minute of the transfer window and they'll keep the number 11 shirt waiting for Bale for however long it's needed. We'd be surprised if he moved this year but Marca have already played their card and promised a 'soap opera' summer.

Marca, worryingly, end with 'For Bale, anything goes'.

Once the Confederations Cup is over and the Spanish press concentrate on transfers fully, it could turn into something even more high profile than the pursuit of Luka Modric last summer.

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