Cardiff plan audacious bid for Bale
Wales forward to hold talks on move ahead of World Cup Championship club also have midfielder Ramsey in sights
Cardiff City are poised to table an audacious offer for Gareth Bale if he signals he would be open to the shock move when he meets representatives this week.
Aaron Ramsey, another hero of Wales’s play-off triumph over Ukraine, is also being discussed as an outside possibility by the club as the two veterans consider preparations for the World Cup.
No formal bids have been submitted yet, but the Championship club would immediately offer a package for Bale if he signalled any openness to going home during imminent talks with advisers. Telegraph Sport understands Tottenham Hotspur have no plans to sign Bale for a third time, but a move to a Major League Soccer club in the United States has been mooted.
Bale insisted he had “loads” of offers following his Real Madrid exit. Rob Page, the Wales manager, said last month that a move to Cardiff would “make sense” for Bale.
Bale and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, had always insisted that he would not consider his club future until Wales had completed their World Cup qualification campaign. With the World Cup taking place in November and December, Bale could look at six-month options to take him through to January or more long-term offers.
Ramsey’s plans also remain uncertain following his mixed loan spell at Rangers. The midfielder has one year remaining on his deal at Juventus, but is not thought to be part of the Italian club’s plans.
Wayne Hennessey, the goalkeeper who produced a sensational performance in Sunday’s play-off victory over Ukraine, made just three appearances for Burnley last season and will hope to be more involved following their relegation to the Championship.
Neco Williams, the Liverpool fullback, impressed on loan at Fulham last season but will be returning to his parent club. Another loan, or possibly a permanent move away from Anfield, would ensure he remained in top shape for the World Cup. The same can be said for centre-back Ethan Ampadu, who spent last season on loan from Chelsea at Italian side Venezia.
Key centre-back Joe Rodon could leave Spurs this summer after a season in which he made only three league appearances, while Ben Davies may not be a guaranteed starter next season if Antonio Conte succeeds in signing a new left-sided centre-back.
Joe Allen, another regular for Wales, is out of contract at Stoke at the end of this month, but is in talks over a new deal at the Championship club.