Transfer Centre

Gareth Bale 'asks to leave Real Madrid'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 February 2018

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale reportedly tells his agent that he wants to leave the club this summer, alerting Premier League duo Manchester United and Chelsea.

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale has reportedly told his agent that he wants to leave the club this summer.

Bale has been regularly linked with a move away from the Spanish capital in recent years, with a return to the Premier League as a Manchester United player seemingly the most likely destination.

The player's agent Jonathan Barnett recently suggested that it would take a world-record sum to prise the Wales international away from the Bernabeu, while also insisting that his client is happy at the club.

However, El Chiringuito TV journalist Eduardo Inda - via The Express - claims that the 28-year-old is now eager to leave Los Blancos at the end of the season.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has previously distanced himself from bringing in any more attacking players this summer, but both he and the club are long-term admirers of Bale and could explore the possibility of a deal should he become available.

Chelsea has also been touted as a potential destination, with Madrid reported to be considering a blockbuster offer of Bale plus £100m to land Eden Hazard.

Madrid president Florentino Perez is expected to conduct a major overhaul of his squad this summer following a hugely disappointing season so far, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Isco among those to have also been linked with an exit.

Bale has once again been troubled by regular injury problems this season, limiting him to just 17 appearances across all competitions so far.