Florentino Perez Real Madrid president: “Bale is exceptional. He was named best player in Premier League last season.
“He is a young player, but with great qualities, who has now realised one of his greatest dreams, which was to be a Real Madrid player.
“The negotiations have been intense, complicated and prolonged, but finally we have achieved our aim and we are delighted to welcome Gareth Bale as part of our team.
“I want to make clear that the determination and conviction of Bale have been decisive. As a child he wore the Real Madrid shirt and now it has become a reality.”
Spainish football writer Andy West: “Watching the Gareth Bale presentation, the big question is where will he play? Not on the left wing, presumably, where Cristiano Ronaldo is rather well established.
“And maybe not as an attacking central midfielder, either – Isco has been brilliant in that position in the opening weeks of the season, scoring three goals in the first three games.
“Instead, Bale’s best chance of establishing a regular starting spot for his new club could well come as a modern-style ‘inverted winger’ on the right flank, giving him the freedom to cut inside an unleash those long-range left-footed missiles.
“Discussion on Spanish television covering his presentation has been along those lines, and it will be fascinating to hear Carlo Ancelotti’s thoughts on the subject at his next press conference – he has refused to address the issue until now.
