Real Madrid Don't Need Bale—Angel Di Maria Is One of the Best in the Business

One thing that Real Madrid seem to be forgetting in their desperate pursuit of Tottenham's Gareth Bale is that they already have one of the world's best wingers in Angel Di Maria on their books.

The jaw-dropping figures that Madrid are reportedly offering Spurs are even more astounding considering the left side of the pitch is currently an area of strength for the Spanish club.

If Bale does complete a move to Real Madrid, not only will Cristiano Ronaldo be shunted into a more central role, there would seemingly be no place in the starting lineup for Di Maria.

Despite interest from Premier League clubs, Real Madrid have, thus far, held on to the Argentine; however, the arrival of Bale could change their mindset.

Di Maria was reportedly bundled in one cash-plus-players offer to Tottenham, according to The Sun (h/t Metro), though he expressed his desire to remain at the Bernabeu, according to Marca.com (h/t SocialRMadrid). 

Manchester City had earlier attempted to negotiate the transfer of Di Maria.

Bale is certainly the more marketable of the two big-eared wide men, but would he offer that much more on the pitch than the reliable Di Maria, especially considering the prices being mentioned with regards to his purchase?

The Welshman has the ability to win matches on his own, yet Real Madrid, with Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil Karim Benzema and others on their books, are not exactly short of match-winners.

Di Maria is capable of moments of brilliance himself, but the fact he is virtually a guaranteed starter for both Real Madrid and Argentina, teams dripping with attacking talent, indicates that managers appreciate his all-round game.

Bale, 24, is without doubt more of a goal threat, having netted 21 times in the league last season for Spurs, while registering four assists, according to whoscored.com.

The 25-year-old Madrid winger only scored seven goals in La Liga, but did lay on six more for his teammates. 

It is his willingness to track back and run tirelessly for his team, however, that makes him such a favorite of managers. 

As a former left-back, Bale is no mug when it comes to defending, but would he be content to tirelessly patrol the touch line, as Di Maria does, for the ultimate benefit of the other superstars in the middle of the pitch?

With the attack-minded Marcelo in the full-back role at Madrid, whoever sits in front of him will have to do his fair share of donkey work.

No matter what the transfer fee, should Bale move to Los Blancos, he will be forced to forego his status as his side's main man.

Perhaps, he will happily sacrifice a little personal glory for the good of the team, but the change in focus will surely take some adjustment.

Any team in the world would be strengthened by the addition of Bale to their squad list.

That being said, Madrid's apparent inclination to fork out a massive transfer fee for him when they already have a world-class player occupying the left-wing role smacks of a return to the Galacticos days, when signing the highest-profile names took precedence over building a balanced team.

Real Madrid's money could be better spent elsewhere.