Pundits are wondering if Gareth Bale’s omission from the squad that travelled to Malaga on Sunday is an indication that Real Madrid are looking to move the Welsh striker on this summer.
While Zinedine Zidane insisted that Bale was ‘“rested” for the game at La Rosaleda, European football journalist, Graham Hunter, is speculating that leaving Bale out of the 3-2 win at the weekend was a clear sign that Real plan to move him on.
Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane were also left at home with the all-important Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich just around the corner. However, Bale has only played a minor part in the Champions League knockout phase, clocking 81 minutes in four games, and the Malaga game would have been an ideal opportunity to give the Welshman more playing time.
Hunter believes that Real Madrid are eyeing events at Paris Saint-Germain where FFP rules means a number of players will have to leave the French club. With Neymar and Mpbappe possible targets, Hunter thinks the decision has been made that Bale will be the man to make way if a move for either player is to come off.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Revista De La Liga, Hunter said: “Bale is left out, he’s not even travelled to Malaga, when he has not been a starter for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“You’d have thought this was tailor-made for Gareth Bale. He didn’t even travel, Zidane has made it clear it wasn’t about injury, it was about what he said was ‘rest’.
“I read the situation directly as Real Madrid looking at PSG, the fact it is widely accepted they will need to have a fire sale to meet financial fair play criteria, and Madrid are lining themselves up to ask Bale, as they did last summer: ‘Wouldn’t you be happier somewhere else, sir?’
“Last summer he roundly said no to them, and that’s the reason they couldn’t buy Kylian Mbappe. There is a vague possibility the fire sale at PSG could include Neymar, possibly Mbappe, not both but one or the other, and Real want to be in a position to vie for that, elbow people out of the way.
“So this wasn’t tactical, this wasn’t resting Bale so he will be in primary shape for the Bayern semi-final, this was an indication to him that even Zinedine Zidane is prepared to say: ‘Gareth, you’ve done well, but perhaps your time is up here.’ I don’t see any other way to read that decision.”
Where to next for Gareth Bale?
Three-time Champions League winner Bale has only made 16 appearances for Real Madrid in La Liga this season fuelling speculation that a return to the Premier League could be on the cards.
Manchester United have shown interest in the past and could come in for the 28-year-old again. Bookmaker Paddy Power bet 15/8 Bale will sign for United before the deadline on 3rd September with Inter Milan (5/1) and Tottenham (10/1) prominent in the betting.
Real Madrid are said to be big admirers of Harry Kane at Tottenham but dealing with owner Daniel Levy has proven difficult in the past. A return to North London may suit Bale at this stage of his career and an exchange deal involving the two might be a possibility if Kane is prepared to uproot his family at this stage of his career.
Bale has a contract which ties him to Real Madrid until 2022 and may resist any attempts to relinquish his services unless another club is prepared to match his salary. While returning to England is a logical option, it may not be easy to find a Premier League club other than Man Utd who would be prepared to meet his demands.
