Gareth Bale net worth revealed as Tottenham legend plots shock bid for ex-Premier League club

There's a tongue-in-cheek saying which goes something like this: 'How do you become a millionaire? Be a billionaire and then buy a football club.' Well, that old adage seems to have been written for Vincent Tan, the Cardiff City owner, who has seen his fortunes dwindle in the harsh world of football finance.

The Malaysian businessman has invested over £250m into the Bluebirds over the past decade or so, yet finds himself at the helm of a League One outfit rather than a Premier League powerhouse.

It's crunch time for Tan at Cardiff City, with questions looming over whether he possesses the zeal to drive the club through two promotions back to the English top-flight – a clear ambition of his ownership.

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Recent years haven't been kind to Cardiff City, with the club veering off course and now facing a hefty debt pile and the impending legal proceedings in France concerning the tragic Emiliano Sala case.

Despite the turmoil, the Cardiff City chairman, Mehmet Dalman, claimed that Tan acknowledges 'everything is for sale at the right price'. In the meantime, the Malaysian businessman remains dedicated to the Bluebirds' quest for Championship football.

As quoted by the Wales Online, Dalman said: "He has injected a substantial amount of funds in the club. In his statement, it was clear to me he wants to bounce back. On the other hand, he has always said, 'Everything is for sale at the right price - except for family.'

"As far as I am concerned, and I am having this discussion after a dialogue with him, I don't see anything else but his commitment to make sure we bounce back."

Dalman's words were shared amid news that a consortium linked to Gareth Bale had made an offer for Cardiff City. According to Wales Online, the group had been in touch with Tan directly in May regarding a major stake acquisition, but their proposal was knocked back.

Whether Bale and his associates will mount another takeover bid for the League One outfit remains to be seen, although the timing of these revelations, one month after the initial approach, could hint at ongoing interest.

Cardiff City's stature means they routinely field queries about ownership and valuation; this instance gained prominence due largely to Bale's status, sparking considerable chatter among supporters. The Spurs legend, who reportedly earned £600,000-a-week during his spell at Real Madrid, boasts a net worth estimated at a whopping £120m.

Off the pitch, the Welshman has ventured into various businesses, launching two bars in his hometown and another in Bristol. He's also a minority shareholder in Penderyn Distillery, and he's invested in Tiger Woods and McIlroy's TGL golf league.

Of course, the Malaysian tycoon's wealth far surpasses that, with Forbes estimating his net worth to be around £580m. However, this figure represents a significant decrease from his previously listed £1.19bn in 2010 – a drop of over £600m in 14 years.

I refer you back to the joke at the start of this article. While Tan's fortune blows Bale's out of the water, Wales Online have reported that the Tottenham legend's involvement would be similar to Luka Modric at Swansea and Tom Brady at Birmingham City, where the majority of the funding would come from other consortium members.

The real advantage of having Bale involved, naturally, would be his ability to offer guidance on player recruitment and commercial development, as well as leveraging his global reach to potentially boost the club's profile worldwide.

As for the club's valuation? It's nearly impossible to put a price tag on it, should Tan decide to sell. Five years ago, Wales Online claim that a valuation of £75m was suggested for Cardiff City, but today that figure is likely to be somewhere between £50m and £75m.

This estimate aligns with Championship clubs who typically value themselves at approximately two or three times their annual revenue – last year Cardiff reported a turnover of £23.2m. However, the old saying rings true – a club's worth is ultimately determined by what a buyer is prepared to pay.

The Bluebirds' recent relegation also plays a significant role in this valuation. According to Transfermarkt, Cardiff City's squad is estimated to be worth around £41.8m, but with players valued at a combined £11.75m either on loan or out of contract in June, this figure immediately drops to £30m.

Player values can plummet by 20 to 40 per cent following relegation. The significant decrease in television revenue, coupled with a drop in player market values and potential loss of commercial and matchday income, could see the club's valuation fall dramatically – potentially by as much as 30 or 40 per cent.

However, there are silver linings. The new training ground currently under construction and the impressive new academy site in Llanrumney are, or will be, valuable assets.

Cardiff is also a capital city with enormous potential and a large, untapped fan base. While it may sound clichéd, it doesn't make it any less accurate.

The club has a high ceiling and is commercially well-managed compared to other clubs of its size. Additionally, there is a core group of young players whose values, the club hopes, will only skyrocket in the coming years, thereby increasing the club's overall value.

One suspects that the new manager, Brian Barry-Murphy, might aim to add value by targeting younger signings this summer and beyond.