Zidane: we hope Bale will go as soon as possible
Gareth Bale’s six-year Real Madrid career is expected to come to an end in the next few days after manager Zinedine Zidane said he is hoping to get the Wales forward out of the club as soon as possible.
Zidane confirmed Bale was left out of Real’s matchday squad to face Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup in Houston on Saturday night because “the club is working on his departure”.
The Frenchman also said he hopes a deal for Bale can be struck soon “for everyone’s sake”.
Zidane, whose side were beaten 3-1 by Bayern, said in quotes reported on his club’s official website: “He wasn’t included in the squad because the club is working on his departure and that’s why he didn’t play.
“We’ll have to see what happens in the coming days. We’ll have to see if it goes through tomorrow, if it does then all the better.
“Let’s hope, for everyone’s sake, that it happens soon. The club is dealing with the club that he’ll move to.”
Bale joined Real for a then world-record £85 million (Dh390m) from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 and, despite being hit by a series of injuries, has helped the Spanish powerhouses win four Uefa Champions League titles, the Primera Liga and four Fifa Club World Cup trophies.
However, his future at the Bernabeu has been the source of plenty of speculation in recent times, with the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Bayern and Inter Milan among the clubs having been linked with his services.
Zidane did not reveal where Bale’s possible destination might be but said: “The situation will change and it’s for the best for everyone.”
The Frenchman also insisted he has “nothing against” 30-year-old Bale, who has not always been an automatic starter under Zidane at Real.
“It’s nothing personal. There comes a time when things are done because they need to bedone,” Zidane said. “I’ve not got anything against him. We have to make decisions and change things, that’s all there is to it. You’re aware of the situation and there’ll be a change to it. I don’t know if this will happen in 24 or 48 hours’ time.
“The situation will change and it’s for the best for everyone. That’s how things go. I speak with the club, we’ve got decisions to make and it’s a decision that’s been made by the coach and the player. Let’s see how things play out.”
Bale’s agent said there was “nothing more” to add regarding the Welshman’s future, but did not hold back on his view of Zidane. “Zidane is a disgrace to speak like that about someone who has done so much for Real,” Jonathan Barnett said. “If and when Gareth goes it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing.
“Gareth is still one of the best players in the world, one of the top five players in terms of market value, and his future lies at a big club.”
If Bale is to leave this summer, he departs having scored 102 goals and creating 65 assists in 231 games, placing him 14th on Real Madrid’s list of all-time goalscorers.
He also made telling contributions in two Champions League finals, scoring the first goal in extra time to give Real the lead against Atletico Madrid in 2014, before his sublime double secured the 2018 title against Liverpool.
Bale also scored one of the most memorable goals in Spanish football history in the 2014 Copa del Rey final to give Madrid a win over arch-rivals Barcelona.
Bale ended last season on the bench as Real endured their poorest domestic campaign in 20 years, with a thirdplace finish, 19 points behind champions Barcelona.
It’s nothing personal. I’ve not got anything against him. We have to change things ... that ’s all there is to it ZINEDINE ZIDANE Real Madrid manager