Gareth Bale's protracted move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid moved a step closer today with the revelation of the player's lawyers arrival in the Spanish capital to finalise the switch, as Bale already indicated his own agreement with the personal terms on offer.
Unfortunately, the PFA and Football Writers' reigning Player of the Year let himself down slightly with his refusal to train at current club Spurs since Tuesday, due to the growing frustration he feels over the tedious nature of negotiations regarding the size of an expected world-record transfer fee.
Real Madrid realised recently what many sides in the past already knew - Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is an extremely difficult negotiator to compromise with. He's forever determined to reach the very best conclusion for his club by wringing every last ounce of value from any given deal, no matter how long it takes.
Despite the delays, it's likely the saga will end this weekend or Monday - transfer deadline day - at the very latest. When Bale does sign, the next unknown within this intriguing dynamic is where he will fit in amongst a galaxy of stars at the Bernabeu.
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be top dog at the club, evidenced once more during the last few days when it emerged he'd suggested to the Real hierarchy he simply didn't want the fee that eventually captures Bale to eclipse the £80m spent on him in 2009. Ronaldo is seen as something of a forerunner to the Welsh international and there are similarities; they frequently display versatility yet play in similar roles and have a penchant for scoring goals from deep-lying positions, both players take a stunning free-kick in similar style to one another and the two also enjoy running at pace towards petrified opposition defences.
Ronaldo can play wide, but has moved into a more central position at Real as time progressed in a parallel manner to Bale at White Hart Lane. Now the pair will be fighting for a starting berth in their favoured role in the middle of the attack, but only one can take the spot.
Meanwhile, competition on the left flank will come from Angel Di Maria, if he sticks around, and more prominently from the fantastic young Spaniard Isco, who is making waves early in his fledgling Madrid career following a summer move from Malaga.
If Bale aims for central midfield, but perhaps in a less advanced part of the pitch to Ronaldo, then he potentially comes up against stern competition from Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Kaka and Sami Khedira; all are not expected to remain at the Bernabeu, however.
The extremely highly-rated former Southampton man faces a battle on his hands just to gain a place in the starting line-up and could see his career stall if regular appearances aren't forthcoming. However, should head coach Carlo Ancelotti find a tactical solution within his plans that allows Bale and Ronaldo to co-exist in the same side, then Real Madrid could find themselves in possession of the most powerful attacking unit in European football.
What the Welshman will be desperate to avoid is a repeat of the spells suffered with the Castillian giants by fellow Brits including Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Owen, who both sat out large chunks of their stays due to a potent cocktail of injuries, suspension and a lack of faith from their manager; the splendid period in Spain enjoyed by former Liverpool star Steve McManaman will be the dream scenario for Bale to emulate.
Two-time La Liga and Champions League victor McManaman recently backed Bale to be a success in Madrid, while making it clear he'll need to concentrate on his football in an effort to cope with huge pressure from the media and public alike.
Should he manage to make an impression on the field, while learning the language and integrating off it, then 24-year-old Spurs phenomenon Bale will be fully capable of winning over the team's fanatical support amid Real's attempts to claim several major trophies during his stay.
He may have to cede main-man status to Cristiano Ronaldo, but football's latest superstar holds significant potential himself to further an outstanding reputation by creating a massive impact at one of the world's greatest sporting institutions.
Twitter: @davewh1980
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