The Hamlet like dilemma of Wayne Rooney — to stay with Manchester United or not — overshadows the start of the 22nd English Premier league this week-end. In London, the other big news is the possible transfer of dashing winger Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid.

Real’s president Florentino Perz has apparently offered a world record fee of £86 million for Bale’s transfer, but Spurs’ are holding out for £100 million.
Bale has not spoken to his manager Andre Villas-Boas for three days. He has not trained with the club and Villas-Boas has said he will not be available for matches this month against Crystal Palace, Dinamo Tiblisi (Europa League) and Swansea City, apparently because of his injuries.
Tottenham Hotspur’s chairman Daniel Levy says they want to retain Bale as he is a world-class player and can help the club achieve their ambition of qualifying for the lucrative Uefa Champions league next season.
Spurs have been active in the transfer market this season probably in the anticipation of Bale ultimately leaving. They have acquired the dynamic Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians for £17 million, Spanish striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26 million and Belgian international Nacer Chadli for £7 million from FC Twente. A dual citizen of Belgium and Morocco, Chadli opted for Belgium in 2011.
Spurs have also confirmed that burly striker Emmanuel Adebayor, on loan till now, has been signed officially. So they have a potent attack and could finish amongst the top four this season.
Manchester United have been sluggish in the transfer market. Cesc Fabregas who said that he wants to stay on at Barcelona rejected manager David Moyes’ bid for the Spanish midfielder. Moyes’ wants two midfielders to strengthen his squad.
United are pondering a £25 million bid for the Real Madrid and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. Since moving from Spurs last summer, Modric has failed to establish himself in Real Madrid and may welcome a move back to the Premiership.
Moyes’ second choice is a defensive midfielder. He may soon make a formal bid for Everton’s Marouane Felliani. United are also bidding for Sevilla’s Geoffrey Kondogbia. The Frenchman has a release clause of £8.5 million but is also being wooed by Arsenal and Chelsea.
In London critics feel that Moyes may struggle in his first season and that Manchester United may not regain their title and could finish only in the top three.
Manchester City and Chelsea are the bookmakers’ favourites to win the Premiership this season. Both have been active in the transfer market and have strengthened their squad. New City manager Pelligrini has sold marquee forwards Tevez and Balotelli for the promising and hopefully less problematic Spanish international striker Alvaro Negredo for £20.6 million, Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina for £25.8 million and speedy Spanish winger Jesus Navas for £15 million.
They have also acquired box-to-box Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho for £30 million from Shakhtar Donetsk. Pelligrini prefers attacking formations and they have the depth in the squad to excel this season.
Back at Chelsea after five years, the “Special One” Jose Mourinho, has had two bids for Wayne Rooney rejected whilst defender David Luiz has stunned him requesting a transfer to Barcelona. Adding to their existing squad of talented youngsters like Oscar and Eden Hazard, they have bought 20-year-old Dutch newcomer Marco van Ginkel and 22-year-old German international Andre Schurrle.