It seems that Gareth Bale is set to leave Spanish giants Real Madrid in the very near future after some controversial comments from Los Blancos head coach Zinedine Zidane about why Bale did not feature in the Saturday night 3-1 defeat against Bayern Munich.
Zidane is quoted by Sky Sports as saying: "Bale did not play because he is very close to leaving. We hope he leaves soon, it would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team."
Understandably, Bale’s camp has not been happy with Zidane’s comments, with the Welshman’s agent Jonathan Barnett branding the French boss ‘A disgrace’.
There now seems to be no way back for the former Tottenham star in the Spanish capital after Barnett confirmed the winger is holding talks about a potential exit this summer.
The 30-year-old has not been universally popular amongst the Madrid faithful in six years at the club, despite enjoying a trophy-laden period with the Spanish outfit. In fact, the winger has helped the Spanish giants to four Champions League crowns and one La Liga title during his career at the Bernabeu.
However, niggling injury problems have restricted the forward to just 79 appearances in the Spanish top-flight in the last four seasons. This is not the first time Bale has been linked with an exit from the Spanish capital.
Reportedly his family is settled in Madrid, but he has struggled to endear himself to many at the Spanish club, as he has failed to learn Spanish, despite six years at the club from Los Blancos.
His next destination this summer is unknown. However, moves to Bayern Munich, the Chinese Super League and even a return to former club Tottenham have been mooted. One thing looks pretty sure, his future is no longer in the Spanish capital.