Gareth Bale has been talking to the German press ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich and hinted he could be interested in a move to the Bundesliga champions.
The Real Madrid wide man is the subject of transfer speculation at the Bernabeu and told Sport Bild it was ‘an honour’ to be linked with a move to Bayern. Bale has fallen out of favour with Real coach Zinedine Zidane and has only started in three games in the Champions League this season, fuelling rumours he could be leaving Spain in the summer.
In an interview prior to the first leg of the Champions League semi final in Munich, Bale hinted he would consider a move to the German giants. “You can never rule out anything in football,” he said.
“Currently I play at Real Madrid and I enjoy that. Bayern have a fantastic squad and in the past they have always been one of the most successful clubs in Europe. It’s an honour for everyone to be linked with this club. But as of now, I am a Real Madrid player.”
Bale has a contract tying him to the Bernabeu until 2020 and at 29 years of age, there are not many clubs in Europe that could afford to match his terms should he leave Real Madrid.
The Welshman believes he still has a lot to offer at the top level of domestic football and points to his record of 11 goals in 22 games this season.
“I think an average of a goal every second match is not bad at all, “ he told Bild.
“Still, there is always potential to develop further. This also applies to me. To be honest, I always want more. More games and more goals.”
Bale, a three-time Champions League winner, was benched for the duration of the first leg of the quarter final tie against Juventus and was substituted off at half time in the second leg. He wasn’t selected for the trip to Malaga the following Sunday and was only given 20 minutes in Madrid’s last match against Real Betis.
Real have been linked with a number of strikers as the club looks to provide Karim Benzema with competition for his place. Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski has been linked with a move to the Spanish side and Bale thinks the Polish striker would be a good fit at the Bernabeu.
“Lewandowski has the quality for Real,” said Bale.
“He is one of the best strikers in the world, he guarantees goals for both Bayern and his national team. We know what a serious threat he poses in the games against us.”
