Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane refused to criticise Gareth Bale after he was pictured playing golf during the team's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. 

Bale did not travel with the Real squad to Germany for the Audi Cup, which Zidane had attributed to illness, but Spanish outlet El Confidencial photographed the winger on a golf course:

Gareth Bale plays golf whilst Madrid lose. 🏌️‍♂️

Spanish tabloid @elconfidencial snapped this image of of the Welsh attacker who was reportedly "unwell" whilst his Real Madrid side lost to Tottenham in the AUDI Cup.#Bale #RealMadrid #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/JhVCyA90UG

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 31, 2019

Zidane discussed the matter after his side beat Fenerbahce 5-3 on Wednesday:

Gareth Bale the golfer ⛳

Here's what Zidane thinks 💭 pic.twitter.com/VHktWre6JP

— GOAL (@goal) August 1, 2019

Per the Daily Mail's Mike Keegan, he said:

"You are telling me something that has surely happened. I'm here with my players, and I'm not going to comment on that. I've not seen the picture. I'm here with my players, so I can't say much about that. I hope he's working well. 

"But I'm here with my players, and we will see when we get back to Madrid. I'm not going to tell him off or that he's not allowed to do it. He's old enough to do what he wants."

The Frenchman added: "It's his private life. It's not something I judge. I think he trained well. We'll see what's going to happen when I get back to Madrid."

As ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan observed, the coach appeared unhappy with the level of questioning he received on the matter:

Zidane on Bale golfing question 3 - if it was lack of respect to be on the course when team playing elsewhere: “Another question? You can’t put me in a position I don’t want to be. I won’t answer more than this.”

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 31, 2019

Zidane explained Bale's absence from the pre-season excursion after Tuesday's loss to Spurs, per the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick:

ZZ on Bale: “He didn’t travel with us because he didn’t feel that well. The doctors said the best thing is for him to stay in Madrid. He’s training individually in Madrid. That was a decision that we made the club, myself and Gareth Bale too.”

— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) July 30, 2019

The match kicked off at 6 p.m. CET. The photo was taken two hours later, with Bale teeing off on the 14th hole of a golf course in Boadilla del Monte, a town on the outskirts of Madrid.

Per Keegan, contrary to Zidane's explanation that he was ill, sources suggested the winger did not travel with the squad because he was upset after a proposed move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning fell through.

The Mirror's Darren Lewis discussed the issue with former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd:

Hear that. But the relationship is at a stage where, regardless of however professional Bale is, Zidane wants him out. He’s made that clear and very public. So right now Bale is now just marking time until one of them goes.

— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) August 1, 2019

There's no love lost between Zidane and Bale, and the former has publicly spoken about his desire for the latter to move on this summer.

Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, summarised their situation, per Keegan: "Zidane doesn't like Gareth. There's no relationship between them. There never has been."

In that light, it is perhaps surprising Zidane defended Bale with his comments.

On the other hand, he may want to speak to the player regarding the matter before making a judgment on it.

What's more, the Chinese Super League's transfer window shut on Wednesday. That leaves Bale with few options this summer unless he takes a significant pay cut to go elsewhere because not many sides can match his £600,000 weekly wage.

If the winger ends up remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he still has three years left on his contract, the pair will need to work together in the coming season.

Karim Benzema lifted Real Madrid to their first normal-time win of pre-season on Wednesday, scoring a hat-trick as they defeated Fenerbahce 5-3 to finish third at the 2019 Audi Cup.  

Garry Rodrigues, Nabil Dirar and Ozan Tufan found goals to make things tricky for Los Blancos, but Benzema was well-placed to almost single-handedly turn the result in their favour.

He netted twice before the break and once in the second period to increase his pre-season goal tally to four.

Nacho Fernandez and substitute Mariano Diaz each scored to compound another disappointing defeat for Fenerbahce, who have now conceded 11 goals in their last two games.

Fenerbahce lost 6-1 against Bayern in their Audi Cup opener, but Real manager Zinedine Zidane was taking few chances and fielded a strong lineup missing only a handful of regular starters.

Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal started on the bench, and Real looked to be missing the latter two at the back after they conceded just six minutes in.

Alvaro Odriozola has earned some calls to become Real's starting right-back, but he didn't aid his case when Rodrigues got the better of him down the flank before beating Keylor Navas at his far post.

The lead lasted only six minutes, though, as Vinicius Junior showed quick feet down the left before crossing in to Benzema. He steadied the ball inside the box before poking home the equaliser for his second goal in pre-season.

It didn't take long for the Frenchman to double his match tally, heading in from a pinpoint Toni Kroos free-kick after 27 minutes to see Real lead a game for the first time this pre-season.

The Spanish Football Podcast noted a change in the direction of the wind while highlighting this was a fixture Real should be dominating with much greater confidence:

It's been considerably better from Real Madrid compared to yesterday, but Fenerbahce are not a good team at all.

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) July 31, 2019

Continuing their leaky theme in defence, Real conceded a second before the break. Having been at fault for Fener's first, it was Odriozola's deflection off Dirar's shot that lifted the ball up and over Navas.

No matter the deflection, the goal represented a much welcome boost for captain Dirar, who had a nightmarish display in the recent defeat to Bayern and was booed by his own fans, via Soccer AM:

Fenerbahce's Nabil Dirar threatened to walk off the pitch after being booed by his own fans 🥶

Poor guy 😩 pic.twitter.com/kzUYvmUtSP

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) July 31, 2019

La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan highlighted poor defence as a running theme in the first half:

HT Madrid 2-2 Fenerbahce. Good, bad and ugly first half from Madrid - Benzema could have had hat-trick, Fenerbahce could have scored four.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 31, 2019

Lucas Vazquez came on for Eden Hazard at the break and set Benzema up to complete his hat-trick after the restart, igniting a flurry of three goals in 15 minutes.

Dirar's defensive weakness was exploited as Lucas had space to cross in, with Benzema in plenty of room to head past Fener goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Ozan Tufan responded after he was also given too much time near the opposition box, hammering into the top-right corner from 35 yards out, via ITV (UK only):

Ozan Tufan scores a stunner to make it Fenerbahce 3-3 Real Madrid!

Watch live on @ITV4 now - what a game!#AudiCup2019 pic.twitter.com/4cvZpg6tdT

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 31, 2019

Zidane's substitutes continued to take effect, and Diaz helped force Real's fourth with one of his first touches. He saw his shot from the edge of the box saved by Bayindir, but centre-back Nacho reacted quickest and converted to push Real back in front 4-3.

Diaz looked desperate to score in his cameo and finally got his reward in the 80th minute, following up on a saved Vazquez shot to give Real their fifth and put the result beyond doubt.

Benzema's performance will encourage his manager after enjoying a productive 2018-19 campaign, while injured Luka Jovic won't fancy his chances of taking the striker spot with his team-mate in this form.

Real are still seeking their first clean sheet in pre-season, while Zidane will also hope major summer signing Hazard can have a greater impact in giving them a more positive end to their preparations.

      

What's Next?

Real Madrid have a week off before they face Red Bull Salzburg next Wednesday in their penultimate pre-season fixture, while Fenerbahce face Cagliari Tuesday in their last friendly of the summer.

Zinedine Zidane has said Gareth Bale was left out of the Real Madrid squad that travelled to Munich for the 2019 Audi Cup due to medical advice. 

Per David Ornstein of BBC Sport, Bale did not travel for the pre-season tournament because he was "not in the right mental state to play" after Real president Florentino Perez blocked his move to Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning.

According to Zidane, club doctors advised that Bale should not travel to the tournament involving Real, Fenerbahce, Tottenham Hotspur and hosts Bayern Munich, per Dom Farrell of Goal:

"Bale did not travel as he was not feeling good. Speaking with the doctors it was better to stay in Madrid and train there. That's it. It's a decision taken together, speaking with him. That's it."

Real lost 1-0 to Spurs in the semi-finals of the Audi Cup on Tuesday to continue their poor form in pre-season so far:

Real Madrid’s pre-season results:

Bayern 3-1 Madrid
Madrid 2(3)-2(2) Arsenal
Madrid 3-7 Atletico
Madrid 0-1 Tottenham pic.twitter.com/a92GF04Uup

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 30, 2019

They will play Fenerbahce in the third-place play-off on Wednesday before further friendlies against RB Salzburg and Roma.

The Madrid giants then kick off their new 2019-20 La Liga season on August 17 with a trip to Celta Vigo.

Real endured a poor campaign in 2018-19 as they finished a distant third to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga and also fell short in the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey.

This summer, Los Blancos have made moves to rectify the situation by spending around €300 million (£275 million) on Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Eder Militao.

Hazard and Jovic are the key attacking additions signed to fill the gap created by Cristiano Ronaldo when he left for Juventus last summer, while Rodrygo, 18, is expected to become a key member of Madrid's front line in the future.

Their arrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu were meant to signal the end of Bale's time at Real, and Zidane effectively confirmed he wanted him out of the club last week:

Zinedine Zidane confirms Real Madrid are looking to sell Gareth Bale. pic.twitter.com/ZnTR3Q3RTm

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 21, 2019

But after the collapse of the Welshman's move to China, it is looking increasingly likely he will stay at Real for 2019-20.

Florentino Perez has said he will miss Cristiano Ronaldo "forever" at Real Madrid following the Portuguese superstar's first season at Juventus. 

Ronaldo left Real for Turin last July for £99.2 million after nine remarkable seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu:

Nine incredible years. pic.twitter.com/HbZCVLB2NL

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 10, 2018

In his absence, Los Blancos struggled during 2018-19, finishing third in La Liga, 19 points behind champions Barcelona, and falling short in both the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, won the Serie A title with Juve while being crowned the Italian top flight's Most Valuable Player for 2018-19.

At a ceremony where Ronaldo was being honoured with the Marca Leyenda lifetime achievement award, Real president Perez said, per ESPN FC: "I'll miss him forever. I'm a Cristiano fan. He's the best and that's it. How was I not going to come [here]?"

One of the most notable shortcomings of Real's squad last term was their lack of goals.

In Ronaldo's nine campaigns at the club, Los Blancos averaged 107 league goals per season.

Last term in La Liga, they scored 63, their lowest return since the 1999-2000 season.

Real Madrid have now gone 465 minutes without scoring—their longest goal drought in their 116-year history 👀 pic.twitter.com/rgeSobJ2aw

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 20, 2018

In a bid to rectify the situation in the near future, Real have made key additions in attack this summer.

They have signed Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt after he scored 17 Bundesliga goals last season.

And Eden Hazard has also joined from Chelsea following his best-ever campaign for the Blues in 2018-19:

Eden Hazard has now been directly involved in 37 goals across all competitions in 2018-19.

20 goals. 17 assists. 💫 pic.twitter.com/WO3p5emRcr

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 29, 2019

Ronaldo averaged 50 goals a season in all competitions during his time at Madrid.

There are few, if any, players in the world that Real could sign who could replace that level of goalscoring.

The combination of Jovic and Hazard, though, along with players like Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior, could see Real return next season to the prolific side they were when Ronaldo was at the club. 

Former Wales and Real Madrid manager John Toshack has hit out at Gareth Bale after his proposed move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning fell through. 

Bale was reportedly set to earn £1 million a week in China, a significant increase on the £600,000 he earns in Madrid, but his agent Jonathan Barnett said Real "changed their minds" about letting him move there, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan.

Toshack suggested to BBC Radio 5 Live (h/t the Mirror's Darren Lewis) Bale should be willing to take a pay cut to move elsewhere:

"Terrible to have to take a pay cut to £150,000 a week—how can they manage with that?!

"He's got a family and a couple of children, how can you manage?! It saddens me—sickens and saddens me the way that this has gone.

"And nothing comes out from Gareth. Nothing. Only his agent, this, that—sad, sad for the football I know and loved, it saddens and sickens me."

The 70-year-old called on Bale to speak out himself rather than through Barnett and said criticism of the Welshman is "justified."

Real handed the winger a six-year deal in 2016, and he still has three years of that contract remaining.

However, he has little relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane, who returned to the dugout in March after stepping down at the end of the 2017-18 season.

The Frenchman wants Bale to move on this summer, but outside of China few clubs can match his wages at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sachin Nakrani of the Guardian echoed Toshack's thoughts on the matter:

https://twitter.com/SachinNakrani/status/1155974330209062915

Football writer Andrew Gaffney placed the responsibility with the club for handing him such a contract, though:

And I think Bale would accept it. But the club need to understand that the contract THEY gave him and the fee THEY are demanding means there are very few, if any, takers. That is Zidane - and Madrid's - problem, not Bale's. If he stays, you more than likely need to use him.

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) July 24, 2019

Toshack also criticised Bale's grasp of Spanish:

"Come out Gareth, do an interview, speak yourself. You've been there for six or seven years now—you don't speak the language. That's an insult to the people you are working for.

"You try and you learn the language, and if you make mistakes early on then people forgive you. But to have somebody else coming out and speaking for you, no, no, no.

"And even if you can say good morning and good afternoon, 1-0, 2-0, that was a corner, should have had a free-kick, little things like that will endear you to the people. Gareth's situation—nothing. It's not gone down well at all here in Spain, and it saddens me."

Last season, Marcelo discussed his inability to converse with Bale in Spanish:

Gareth Bale doesn't have enough chat for Marcelo 😅 pic.twitter.com/Jm6pN90fAm

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 12, 2019

Bale's lack of fluency with the language will have made settling in Madrid more difficult, though it hasn't stopped him from contributing to a great deal of success during his time there, as BBC 5 Live demonstrated:

Gareth Bale's move to China is off after Real Madrid cancelled the deal

Bale had been expected to join Jiangsu Suning and earn a reported £1m a week

But do the numbers show @realmadrid are keeping a key player?#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/GFsshP5Qo0

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) July 28, 2019

Los Blancos have won the UEFA Champions League—the honour they covet most—four times in Bale's six years at the club, and he scored in two of the finals.

He also bagged the winning goal against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final.

Given the length of time remaining on his contract with the club, he could still offer an enormous amount to the team if he's called upon.

There's also enough time left that he might outlast Zidane at the club, should the coach fail to turn things around after the team endured a calamitous season in the last campaign that saw them finish third in La Liga and knocked out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals.

James Rodriguez's agent Jorge Mendes said the player's future is in the hands of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. 

James has returned to the Santiago Bernabeu after a two-year loan spell with Bayern Munich, and he has been linked with Napoli and Atletico Madrid.

Mendes spoke to Radio Marca on Monday night while stood next to Perez and said: "Regarding James, you'll have to ask the president who is here next to me."

According to Marca, the agent was laughing as he spoke, while the president chose to look at his phone and ignore the discussion about James.

Mendes added: "I just want the best for the player and the best for the club."

Prior to joining Bayern, the playmaker chipped in with his fair share of goals for Real:

| 🔥 |

Atletico Madrid are after James Rodriguez! 🇨🇴

At times, he looked a world beater for Real Madrid... could he re-ignite his #LaLiga career across the Madrid divide? 👀

13 reasons why he'd be pretty decent 👇 pic.twitter.com/onaVllleCt

— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) July 23, 2019

The Colombian missed 25 matches through injury during his two seasons with the Bavarian outfit. In the 67 outings he did make, he contributed 15 goals and 20 assists.

He's not only a goal threat but a highly creative player, too.

James has excellent vision and even better delivery, which he demonstrated with Colombia during the Copa America earlier this summer:

Zapata does it again! 🔥

🇨🇴 Duván Zapata heads home in the 86th minute, giving Colombia a 1-0 victory over Qatar!

How about that ball in from James Rodriguez?! 🤤#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/kZMpcQYz8d

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 19, 2019

He would be a valuable asset to Atletico or Napoli, but it seems he'll be remaining with Los Blancos for the upcoming campaign.

According to AS' Manu Sainz and Jonathan Meaney, Real have decided to keep James following the cruciate ligament injury to Marco Asensio that could keep the Spaniard out of action for almost the entire season.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane appeared to have little trust in James, who was handed just 20 starts in all competitions the season before he left for Bayern.

The player is a proven match-winner, though, so if he's set to stay at the Bernabeu this season, Zidane might be wise to give him a more prominent role.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday he was sad to leave Real Madrid when he departed the Spanish capital after nine years in the summer of 2018. 

Ronaldo received the Marca Leyenda lifetime achievement award at a ceremony in Madrid and was involved in a question and answer session with five children.

Per Miguel Angel Garcia at Marca, one of the youngsters, Jorge, told Ronaldo, "It made me sad that you left Real Madrid," and the Portugal international replied, "Me too."

Ronaldo left Los Blancos as the club's all-time leading goalscorer. He racked up 451 goals in 438 appearances and led the club to a host of titles:

Ronaldo at Real Madrid:

Games: 438
Goals: 451
Major honours: 16#UCL 🏆: 4 (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)#UCL ⚽: 105
UEFA Best Player: 3 (2014, 2016, 2017)
UEFA Team of the Year: 9 (2009-2017)
Ballons d'Or: 4 (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
Golden Shoe: 3 (2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15) pic.twitter.com/Vvc4JBik7F

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 10, 2018

The forward stunned the football world by quitting Real Madrid less than two months after helping the club win a third consecutive UEFA Champions League crown.

He joined Juventus for €100 million on a four-year deal than runs until 2022. He later explained why he had made the move in an interview with France Football (h/t Dominic Fifield at the Guardian):

"I did not come to Juve for the money. I earned the same in Madrid, if not more. The difference is that, at Juve, they really wanted me. They told me that and made it clear. They showed me that. The truth is that the president wanted me but, at the same time, he made it known to me that my departure would not constitute a problem."

Ronaldo went on to help Juventus retain their Serie A title, although he could not add to his tally of Champions League titles. Juve were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Dutch side Ajax:

Ronaldo's first season at Juve 🔥

🔲 43 games
⚽️ 28 goals
🏆 Serie A
🏆 Supercoppa Italiana
🥇Serie A Most Valuable Player pic.twitter.com/8XSV3x9Ti9

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 10, 2019

However, Real Madrid endured a poor first campaign without Ronaldo. The team finished third in La Liga, a distant 19 points behind champions Barcelona.

Los Blancos were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by the Catalan giants, did not make it past the last 16 in the Champions League and sacked managers Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari before bringing back Zinedine Zidane for a second spell in charge in March.

Gareth Bale has withdrawn from Real Madrid's 2019 Audi Cup squad amid speculation he could leave the Santiago Bernabeu before the close of the summer transfer window:

📋 Our squad for the Audi Cup 2019!
🛫 We're off to Munich soon!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/zwcx7qU5ar

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 29, 2019

The Wales international "is not in the right mental state to play" after being prevented from moving to Chinese side Jiangsu Suning by president Florentino Perez, according to David Ornstein at BBC Sport.

Real Madrid are scheduled to play Bale's former club Tottenham Hostpur in the semi-finals of the friendly tournament at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce are the other two teams involved in the Audi Cup.

Bale's move to China would have seen him earn over £1 million a week. The deal was called off by Los Blancos because they want a transfer fee for the 30-year-old, according to John Percy at the Daily Telegraph.

Perez also believed that Bale is "is too valuable a player to let go on the cheap," but the decision to block his move has left the winger "furious," per the report.

Jiangsu Suning have now signed Ivan Santini from Anderlecht, which has killed any hope of a move for Bale, per Sport. Santini's arrival means the club have now reached their quota of five foreign players.

The collapse of Bale's move to China leaves his future uncertain. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has made it clear that the Welshman is not wanted at the Spanish capital:

🗣️ Zidane on Gareth Bale:

"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." pic.twitter.com/mlgPrrGHlO

— GOAL (@goal) July 21, 2019

Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, spoke to La Journal du Dimanche (h/t Glen Williams for MailOnline) about the relationship between Zidane and Bale.

"It's simple, Zidane doesn't like Gareth," he said. "There's no relationship between them. There never has been."

The 30-year-old has three years left on his current Real Madrid contract and is "convinced he will be left to rot in the Real stands while Zidane remains in charge," per Matt Law at the Daily Telegraph.

Ben Hayward at the Evening Standard explained why Bale may find it difficult to find another club:

That's exactly it. And Bale represents a risk, at the age of 30 and because of his injury record. It's not that nobody wants him, it's that the very few clubs with that kind of money believe it is better invested elsewhere.

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) July 29, 2019

Bale has won La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles during his time at Real Madrid. However, injuries have seen him manage just 79 La Liga starts in the last four seasons.

His relationship with Zidane appears to have broken down, and if he cannot find another club before the end of the transfer window, he faces spending the season on the sidelines.

Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, said Real Madrid "changed their minds" about allowing the Welshman to leave for Jiangsu Suning and called the move off.

Per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, Barnett said the Spanish giants had given Bale the go-ahead to negotiate a move to the Chinese Super League club but later reversed their decision when the deal was almost done.

Sources at the club had a different version of events; they told ESPN FC the move fell through because Bale's family decided against it.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein broke the news that Bale's move to China was off on Sunday, with Real said to be responsible:

Understood Real Madrid called the deal off #RMFC

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 28, 2019

It's the latest in a long series of ups and downs Bale has endured during his time in the Spanish capital:

Gareth Bale has had plenty of highs at Real Madrid.

He's had plenty of lows, too.

What will he be remembered for? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/2TPFhpkifA

— GOAL (@goal) July 29, 2019

Barnett also said a report from Marca that Jiangsu would pay Bale an annual salary of €22 million net was "fake news."

Following the signing of Ivan Santini from Anderlecht on Monday, Jiangsu—who have already brought in Miranda from Inter Milan this summer—have filled their quota of foreign players.

There are three years left on Bale's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, and letting him move on this summer would save the club in the region of €100 million in wages and taxes, according to Corrigan. However, it is said Real president Florentino Perez is not willing to let Bale leave the club on a free transfer.

While that's understandable, few clubs can afford his salary, let alone do so after paying a fee to sign him. Even wealthy clubs in China have their limits, as they're restricted by a 100 per cent levy on foreign signings that requires them to pay the same total of the transfer fee in taxes.

The winger is a proven match-winner, with 102 goals and 65 assists to his name in 231 appearances for Los Blancos. Given that keeping him will be a costly exercise for the club, Zinedine Zidane may need to rethink his level of involvement for the upcoming season.

Real Madrid have reportedly called off Gareth Bale's proposed move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein reported as much on Sunday:

Understood Real Madrid called the deal off #RMFC

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 28, 2019

Per the Telegraph's Matt Law, Bale had been nearing a move that would have seen him earn more than £1 million per week.

According to John Percy of the same outlet, Real president Florentino Perez won't let Bale go without receiving a transfer fee from Suning, who have until Wednesday before the Chinese transfer window closes.

Foreign signings in the CSL are subject to a 100 per cent levy, effectively doubling the cost of overseas players for Chinese clubs.

Bale has three years remaining on his contract with Real Madrid.

Per Ornstein, Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane said the Welshman leaving the club would be "best for everyone."

Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett responded to those comments by telling ESPN FC that Zidane is a "disgrace."

He also told Le Journal du Dimanche (h/t Eleven Sports) that the Frenchman "doesn't like Gareth Bale. There is no relationship between them, there never has been."

However, given that very few clubs have the resources to fund a move for the winger, if his move to China is off, he may well remain at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

The 30-year-old has contributed a great deal in the Spanish capital during his six years at the club:

157 - Since he joined the club in the summer of 2013, only Cristiano Ronaldo (318) & Karim Benzema (197) have been involved in more competitive goals for Real Madrid than @GarethBale11 (157). Exit. pic.twitter.com/1BLkIJ1LO5

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 27, 2019

Bale at Real Madrid:

2013-14
👤 44
⚽ 22
🎯 16

2014-15
👤 48
⚽ 17
🎯 12

2015-16
👤 31
⚽ 19
🎯 12

2016-17
👤 27
⚽ 9
🎯 3

2017-18
👤 39
⚽ 21
🎯 6

2018-19
👤 42
⚽ 14
🎯 6

UCL 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Super Cup 🏆🏆🏆
Club World Cup 🏆🏆🏆
La Liga 🏆
Copa del Rey 🏆
Spanish Super Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/UVq0Qysgh4

— GOAL (@goal) July 27, 2019

Football writer Andrew Gaffney thinks keeping him would be worthwhile for Los Blancos:

Despite his inconsistent form, injury history and age… Bale is still the best option for Real Madrid on the right-hand side of attack.

If they sign Pogba, it'll mean they won’t have enough cash left over to replace Bale with a world class alternative.

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) July 28, 2019

Bale's future looked under threat from the moment Zidane returned to the club in March, and his days appeared to be numbered when the manager left him out of the final three matches of the campaign.

The player can still have a big impact for Real next season, but he and Zidane will need to mend their relationship for that to happen.

According to Law, Bale earns £600,000 per week in Madrid, so the club can ill afford to have him sat on the bench or up in the stands when he's fit to play.