SPECIAL REPORT: Former Real Madrid winger Amavisca urges the Welshman to raise his game as the European champions prepare a summer move for the talented German forward
Madrid president Florentino Perez is keen to bring in an attacking player every summer and Reus is top of the list for 2015, ticking all the boxes as one of the few players in the world game likely to be available and that can conceivably improve this team.
Reports of a done deal are premature, but Reus is said to be ready for the next step in his career after a difficult third season at Borussia Dortmund as Jurgen Klopp's side struggle at the wrong end of the Bundesliga. The 25-year-old can take his pick from a number of interested clubs in the summer and Madrid are currently frontrunners for his signature.
If Reus arrived in Madrid, one of their more marketable players would surely be sold to fund the deal and create space in the team, like when Mesut Ozil made way for Bale in 2013 and Angel Di Maria departed following the signing of James Rodriguez last summer.
Bale's work-rate and fitness were brought into question by the Madrid media back in October, with the local press pushing for fan favourite Isco to start on a permanent basis.
An injury to Luka Modric in November means both are now starting in the same side, but one of the two will probably drop down to the bench when the Croat returns to action next month. The club will face a difficult decision next summer if Reus joins the fray too.
"Bale is not on form at the moment, but the whole team has started the year badly," former Madrid and Spain winger Jose Amavisca told Goal. "The season was planned in such a way that they peaked for the Club World Cup, but now they need to get going again - and so does Bale."
The Welsh winger was jeered by fans at the Bernabeu after he shot wide against Espanyol, having failed to release the ball for Ronaldo. That incident left the Portuguese clearly frustrated and came just a week after a similar action at Valencia when Bale went alone instead of passing to the unmarked Karim Benzema.
"Because it's Real Madrid, everything is exaggerated and everything is magnified," Amavisca added. "I still think Bale is uncomfortable playing on the right. We saw him on the left in the second half against Atletico (on Thursday) and he looked brighter, setting up the goal for Ronaldo. That's where he needs to be playing."
For that to happen, however, Ronaldo would need to operate in a more central role as he did at times last season and also this term. And for his part, the Portuguese poured cold water on talk of a fall-out as he praised his team-mate following the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday.
"He's a good player and an important player and Real Madrid are going to need him again this year," the 29-year-old said.
"Bale is not on form at the moment, but the whole team has started the year badly," former Madrid and Spain winger Jose Amavisca told Goal. "The season was planned in such a way that they peaked for the Club World Cup, but now they need to get going again - and so does Bale."
The Welsh winger was jeered by fans at the Bernabeu after he shot wide against Espanyol, having failed to release the ball for Ronaldo. That incident left the Portuguese clearly frustrated and came just a week after a similar action at Valencia when Bale went alone instead of passing to the unmarked Karim Benzema.
"Because it's Real Madrid, everything is exaggerated and everything is magnified," Amavisca added. "I still think Bale is uncomfortable playing on the right. We saw him on the left in the second half against Atletico (on Thursday) and he looked brighter, setting up the goal for Ronaldo. That's where he needs to be playing."
For that to happen, however, Ronaldo would need to operate in a more central role as he did at times last season and also this term. And for his part, the Portuguese poured cold water on talk of a fall-out as he praised his team-mate following the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday.
"He's a good player and an important player and Real Madrid are going to need him again this year," the 29-year-old said.
SOMETHING AMISS | Ronaldo shows his frustration as Bale goes alone and shoots wide
Bale's camp told Goal in October that Madrid are happy with the winger and that he himself has no intention of quitting the Spanish side and president Perez echoed those sentiments at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday.
"Bale has said he is delighted to be at Real Madrid," Florentino told reporters in the mixed zone. "And Real Madrid are delighted to have him."
One considerable factor in Bale's favour is that Perez was desperate to sign him in 2013 after missing out on Neymar when the Brazilian opted for Barcelona.
"It was a personal bet by Florentino," Amavisca added. "He pushed really hard for Bale and paid a world-record fee. I don't think Florentino would want him to leave.
"Reus is a good player, but he doesn't necessarily have to replace Bale. Florentino was convinced by Bale and I think that is still the case, although lots of things can change from one season to the next at Real Madrid."
Bale averages almost a goal every other game for Madrid and has scored in three major finals for the Blancos (the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and the Club World Cup). But - with Ronaldo untouchable, Benzema the only centre-forward at the club and a move for Reus on the cards - the Welshman will now need to prove himself all over again to ensure he is still at the Bernabeu in 2015-16.
"Bale has said he is delighted to be at Real Madrid," Florentino told reporters in the mixed zone. "And Real Madrid are delighted to have him."
One considerable factor in Bale's favour is that Perez was desperate to sign him in 2013 after missing out on Neymar when the Brazilian opted for Barcelona.
"It was a personal bet by Florentino," Amavisca added. "He pushed really hard for Bale and paid a world-record fee. I don't think Florentino would want him to leave.
"Reus is a good player, but he doesn't necessarily have to replace Bale. Florentino was convinced by Bale and I think that is still the case, although lots of things can change from one season to the next at Real Madrid."
Bale averages almost a goal every other game for Madrid and has scored in three major finals for the Blancos (the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and the Club World Cup). But - with Ronaldo untouchable, Benzema the only centre-forward at the club and a move for Reus on the cards - the Welshman will now need to prove himself all over again to ensure he is still at the Bernabeu in 2015-16.
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