Bale still the Real deal for Coleman

FORMER Wales boss Chris Coleman believes Gareth Bale is Britain’s finest footballing export as once again his future at Real Madrid is shrouded in doubt.

And Coleman insists the forward, 30, would light up any Premier League side if his seven-year stay at the Bernabeu does come to an end.

With his second La Liga title in the bag to add to four Champions League gongs, Bale’s lack of action in recent games – due to a supposed rift with manager Zinedine Zidane – has led to talk of a Spanish exit.

Bale has also been spotted larking around on the substitutes’ bench, at one stage pretending to be asleep in an apparent reply to his manager using him sparingly.

Last summer a move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning – where he would have pocketed a staggering £1million a week – fell through at the

11th hour when Real Madrid suddenly demanded a transfer fee.

Now there is talk of Real being prepared to rip up the remaining two years of his

£600,000-a-week contract making the Wales international a free agent.

The treatment of Bale leaves Coleman – who led Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals – scratching his head.

“I can’t believe how he has been singled out and accused of this, that and the other,” said Coleman.

“He’s the best player I’ve ever worked with. He’s an a absolutely magnificent player and easy to get on with.

“They paid £85million for him seven years ago. They have won four Champions Leagues in that time.

“Look at any player who has come out of the United Kingdom and played abroad and you will see that nobody has done what he has done.”