After reminding fickle Real Madrid fans of his match-winning ability in the Champions League final, Gareth Bale spoke of his frustration after the game about the lack of playing time he has received this season. In spite of all the success he has enjoyed in the Spanish capital, a week ago it looked more likely than not that he would leave the club.
The departure of coach Zinedine Zidane has arguably changed that though.
Bale knows he is at the biggest club in the world and it is only his eagerness to play more first-team football which leads him to assess his options. The Welshman has the self-confidence to believe he would be regarded more highly by the new manager than he was by Zidane and therefore he risks agitating for a move at just the wrong time.
But where would he go? It is rare that such an elite performer has so few realistic suitors. If he leaves the club, the 28-year-old won’t be moving to Madrid’s rivals Barcelona, so a move away from Spain is inevitable. It is thought that the player’s preference is to return to the Premier League, where his pace would be such an asset. However, although Manchester United may have the money and the desire to agree terms, their embarrassment of attacking riches, never mind their need to strengthen in other positions, suggests the chances of a deal remain slim. Meanwhile, Manchester City look set to sign Riyad Mahrez so there isn’t place in their squad for the star. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham simply lack the resources to afford him.
This leaves Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain as the player’s most likely destinations. Madrid may seek to use Bale as a makeweight in a deal for Neymar, but PSG would be reluctant to sanction such a deal. Either way, Bale’s departure from the Bernabeu feels like it could turn into a saga that lasts the summer.
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