But how long will be stay? A crunch might come, according to some sources, when Bale’s daughter, Alba Violet, who is two in October, reaches school age. Bale’s partner Emma Rhys-Jones has moved to Spain with him and one rumour is that the family might want to return closer to home at that time; maybe in two years time. If so it would lead to an almighty fight for Bale’s signature with United, in particular, keen to see how things develop having shown their hand and retained an interest.