'Be a good signing' - Transfer insider reacts as Villa eye 'different class' winger

Transfer insider Dean Jones has delivered his verdict on the Aston Villa pursuit of Wales superstar Gareth Bale. 

This comes following a report from The Guardian claiming that Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle United are all keen on the 32-year-old soon-to-be free agent, with Spurs since ruled out.

Bale is now certain to leave Real Madrid at the end of the month after nine years, 258 appearances and an incredible 19 major honours whilst in Spain.

Having earned qualification to the World Cup in Qatar later this year, the Cardiff-born attacker is expected to continue his playing career and has been linked with a return to his hometown club in recent days, but one informed onlooker hasn’t ruled out the Villans…

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones has suggested that the 105-cap Wales international would be a worthwhile addition to Steven Gerrard’s squad… if he can get his mind right.

He said: “The only thing I’d say is there’s not that sentiment value there that we seem to get the impression he’s looking for. Gareth Bale is at his best when there’s passion involved, and when he genuinely cares about it.

“His Wales performances and his body language and everything is so different than from when he was at Real Madrid. And I know he says that’s not all him, and it was the club and the way he was treated, but it’s got to be on him too because we can see how he’s performing. So, I think it’d be a good signing.”

Albeit a player blessed with undoubted and seemingly unwavering quality based on his recent international exploits, the one-time speedster has been forced to alter his style and now operates in a different manner, thus rendering a return to the rigours of Premier League football an unsuitable fit.

Last season, the Welshman