A consortium led by Welsh football legend Gareth Bale has reportedly made a formal offer to buy Cardiff City Football Club. The offer, believed to be around £40 million, has been submitted to the club's current owner, Vincent Tan. Bale, who grew up in Cardiff and has expressed a strong desire to be involved with his hometown club, is said to be backed by US investors in this venture.
Bale has confirmed his interest in acquiring a controlling stake in Cardiff City, describing the prospect as "a dream come true". Speaking at the premiere for F1: The Movie, Bale told Sky Sports, "We are interested in getting Cardiff. It's my home club, it's where I grew up, and my uncle used to play for them". He further added, "To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true".
However, Vincent Tan has already indicated that he is not inclined to sell to Bale and his partners. Tan, a Malaysian businessman, has invested over £200 million in the club since acquiring a controlling stake in 2010. He is reportedly not prepared to sell the club for what he and his colleagues consider a "derisory offer," especially considering Cardiff's recent relegation to League One, the third tier of English football.
Despite the expected rejection, the offer signifies a clear intent from the Bale-led group. Bale has made no secret of his ambition to guide Cardiff City back to the Premier League, where they last played in the 2013-14 season. "It is a club close to my heart, and I would love to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs," Bale stated. He also acknowledged the passion of the Cardiff fans and expressed his desire to "try and do something together".
A source close to Bale emphasized that he intends to take on a significant role in the club if the takeover is successful. "He is not going to be a bit-part player," the source said, adding, "He would be heavily involved. He believes he is the right person for this". The source also mentioned that "Cardiff is the only club he wants to do a deal for," highlighting Bale's commitment to his hometown team.
Bale's consortium reportedly includes both British and American investors. While the decision to sell ultimately rests with Vincent Tan, Bale's camp believes that "there is no better person as far as custodianship, and with the correct intentions to the place, than Gareth".
The potential takeover bid comes at a challenging time for Cardiff City. The club was relegated from the Championship last season and will be playing in League One for the first time in over 20 years. In recent years, the club has faced financial difficulties, including a transfer embargo issued by FIFA in December 2022. Despite these challenges, Mehmet Dalman, Cardiff City's chairman, stated last month that Tan remains committed to helping the club achieve promotion back to the Championship.
Gareth Bale, who retired from professional football in January 2023, had a remarkable career, winning five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and captaining Wales to their first World Cup appearance since 1958. His involvement in a potential takeover of Cardiff City has generated considerable excitement among fans, who view him as someone who can bring renewed hope and ambition to the club.
It remains to be seen whether Vincent Tan will reconsider his stance and engage in further negotiations with the Bale-led consortium. However, the submission of the offer marks a significant step in Bale's pursuit of owning his hometown club and potentially guiding them back to the top tier of English football.
