Report: Gareth Bale Close to Jiangsu Suning Transfer from Real Madrid
Jul 26, 2019
LANDOVER, MD - JULY 23: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid during the International Champions Cup fixture between Real Madrid and Arsenal at FedExField on July 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is reportedly close to signing for Jiangsu Suning on a three-year deal.
According to Panos Kostopoulos of Marca, the Wales international is poised to sign a contract that'll see him earn an annual salary of €22 million with the Chinese Super League team and "only small details remain for the deal to be finalised."
ASreported that while Bale has agreed personal terms with Jiangsu, however, as of yet the Chinese outfit have not reached a deal with Real Madrid regarding a fee for the player.
They add that Bale was initially offered a yearly wage of €17 million, the amount he is currently earning at the Santiago Bernabeu, before eventually increasing their package.
Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws said he isn't surprised to see Bale on the brink of a move away from European football:
Gareth Bale and China...
✔️ PL clubs don’t pay the wages he had in Spain. ✔️Real would have asked a huge fee if a PL club came in. ✔️PL clubs barely sign 30+ players - definitely not on a long term contract.
Other European clubs not interested or not able to afford him.
Bale's days at Real Madrid appear to be numbered and speculation regarding a possible transfer has intensified in the last week.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane has spoken candidly about the 30-year-old moving on. The Madrid manager said after a 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in pre-season that "we hope he leaves soon" and then accused Bale of refusing to play in the fixture.
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett called Zidane a "disgrace" for his initial comments and said the manager "shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid."
Per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, even after Marco Asensio suffered a serious injury in pre-season, Zidane stood by his opinion on the former Tottenham Hotspur star:
Zidane already said last night that Asensio's injury would not effect [his] plans for Bale's future. Might do tho over others who were unsure - esp Lucas V and Isco. Vinicius likely to play a lot more too.
Bale has been part of a hugely successful era for the La Liga side and his record for Los Blancos compares favourably with that of his current manager:
In Zidane's first spell in charge of Real, he gradually started to phase Bale out of his preferred XI. Nevertheless, in the final game of Zidane's first stint, the Welshman was on target twice to help Madrid win the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League final 3-1 against Liverpool.
The first goal he scored in that fixture is one of the greatest netted in the competition:
Gareth Bale's incredible bicycle kick against Liverpool has NOT been nominated for UEFA's 2017/18 Goal of the Season award... 😱 pic.twitter.com/epkaQ4ZkWp
Jiangsu Suning have spent big money on players in the past and on Friday they completed the signing of Brazil international defender Miranda. They also secured the high-profile acquisition of Alex Texeira from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2016.
Bale would represent a major coup for them, as he remains a huge name in world football. At this juncture, you sense the player and all those associated with Real Madrid will be keen to part company as soon as possible.
Thibaut Courtois Says 'It's Clear Now Who Is No. 1' at Real Madrid
Jul 26, 2019
Thibaut Courtois has said it's "clear now who is No. 1" in the battle to be Real Madrid goalkeeper following a difficult first campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Belgian has played a promising 90 minutes in pre-season so far, and Courtois told Het Nieuwsblad (h/t Marca) he believes he's done enough to cement his status as Real's first choice ahead of Keylor Navas:
"I think it's clear now who is No. 1 [at Real Madrid], and I feel stronger than ever. I have had a very good pre-season, I have trained well and I feel fine.
"After last season, my fat percentage was 8.8 per cent. I came back this summer with 8.1 per cent, which is good after a month of holidays. I feel good, and I hope I will continue in this way."
Courtois moved to Madrid from Chelsea in August 2018 and was quickly played as first choice, surviving the sackings of Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari despite some underwhelming patches in form.
Zinedine Zidane kept Courtois as his No. 1 when he was reappointed manager in March, ending his maiden season at Real with 35 appearances across all competitions.
Navas still managed 21 appearances and rarely disappointed when called upon, while LucaZidane, the manager's son, began to make his initial break into the senior setup, via Eleven Sports:
| 🥅 |
Courtois/Navas/Luca@BumperGraham: "Zidane is clearing the way for his son. Football has proven across many managers, Alex Ferguson at Man United, Harry Redknapp introducing Frank Lampard at West Ham, Jordi Cruyff in Barcelona. It is a difficult thorny subject." pic.twitter.com/iVC6oLb3iT
Zidane Jr. has joined Racing Santander on loan for the upcoming season, and Ukrainian Andriy Lunin—who joined the club from Zorya Luhansk in 2018—could be installed as the new third-choice stopper.
Navas has less than one year remaining on his Real contract and will leave the club for free next summer unless he agrees to an extension.
Sportswriter Andrew Gaffney appeared convinced the Costa Rica international had played his farewell game for Real when they lost 2-0 to Real Betis on the last day of La Liga in May:
Keylor Navas at least gets to say goodbye the right way. I feel he’s never really gotten the respect he deserves - not easy behind Madrid’s defence - but he took over from Casillas, was outstanding after the De Gea fiasco and has been much, much better than Courtois this season.
Real have conceded five times in two pre-season matchups thus far, though Navas was between the posts for four of those.
Courtois started the 3-1 defeat to Bayern on Saturday and leaked one goal before coming off at half-time. Navas started Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal and conceded twice in the first 24 minutes, while Courtois kept a clean sheet in the second period as Real went on to win via penalty shootout 3-2.
Guillermo Raimundo of AS recently speculated about the significance of Navas retaining the No. 1 jersey for what could be his final season at the Bernabeu, with Courtois having taken the No. 13.
Los Blancos face Atletico Madrid in the 2019 International Champions Cup on Friday, when Zidane's choice for who should start the Madrid derby could indicate who is his current top pick.
Zinedine Zidane Worried About Real Madrid's Pre-Season Injuries
Jul 26, 2019
LANDOVER, MD - JULY 23: Zinedine Zidane the head coach / manager of Real Madrid during the International Champions Cup fixture between Real Madrid and Arsenal at FedExField on July 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is concerned by the club's recent spate of injuries after Marco Asensio, Ferland Mendy and Brahim Diaz each went down in pre-season.
Asensio, 23, suffered the most severe injury and could miss up to nine months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Zidane told reporters: "It worries me, and above all it bothers me. Marco's [injury], Ferland's, which is a minor injury, but he won't be able to continue working, and we don't know for how long. These are things that happen, and we will see if he comes back quickly with us."
Asensio equalised as a substitute in Tuesday's 2-2 pre-season draw against Arsenal—Real won 3-2 on penalties—but had to be taken off again following a tussle with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as ESPN FC shared:
The winger posted an encouraging message on Twitter regarding his comeback efforts:
At the highest points in life, you can have an unexpected stroke of bad luck and suddenly everything changes. It is hard to accept everything these days, but I begin another personal challenge in my life. I still trust that this will be a great season.
Real face Atletico Madrid in the 2019 International Champions Cup on Friday in what will be their penultimate fixture of this pre-season.
One might think the recent flurry of injuries might change Zidane's opinion on the future of Gareth Bale. The manager recently addressed claims he had disrespected Bale when discussing the Welshman's likely transfer out of the Santiago Bernabeu, though it doesn't seem his plans have altered.
Zidane added: "We are preparing with the players who are here. Then we will return to Madrid. I don't think about who is going to replace Marco. We are devastated with Marco's injury and our squad is the one we have here."
Mendy joined Real from Lyon for €48 million in June, and the France international went down after his first-half display in the shootout win over Arsenal, per sports writer Andrew Gaffney:
His absence means Marcelo should start Zidane's first full season back with Real. The club sold alternative left-back Theo Hernandez to AC Milan earlier in July, while the 22-year-old Sergio Reguilon joined Sevilla on loan in June.
Diaz moved to Madrid from Manchester City in January, but his first pre-season with the club has been an underwhelming experience as he's been prevented from making an appearance.
The 19-year-old suffered a muscular injury earlier in July and is hoping to build on the promise he has displayed in Real colours, as Eleven Sports shared:
| 🔥 |
"Calm down, kid, I am counting on you & next season, you'll see the field."
A source has told AS Zidane wants Brahim Diaz & his flicks at Real Madrid next season.
Summer signing Luka Jovic didn't get a proper run-out against Arsenal and had to be withdrawn after 16 minutes following Nacho Fernandez's early dismissal.
It hasn't been the pre-season Zidane envisioned, although a derby win over rivals Atletico at MetLife Stadium on Friday would be an ideal way to improve his mood.
Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy to Miss 3-4 Weeks Because of Thigh Injury
Jul 25, 2019
LANDOVER, MD - JULY 23: Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid during the International Champions Cup fixture between Real Madrid and Arsenal at FedExField on July 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy is set to miss the next three to four weeks because of a thigh injury.
Los Blancos announced (h/t Goal) that he has suffered a "muscular lesion."
Mendy joined Real Madrid in the summer transfer window from French side Lyon, but the injury means he is likely to miss their first La Liga game of the season against Celta Vigo on August 17.
Real Madrid splashed out £47 million to bring Mendy to the Santiago Bernabeu, and his setback will be a blow:
Real Madrid sign Lyon left back Ferland Mendy in deal worth up to £47m. Already spent more than £250m and it’s only 12 June. Will need to sell big to comply with financial fair play rules
The 24-year-old featured in both of the club's International Champions Cup games in the United States against Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
The France international is being tipped to have a big future at Real Madrid:
Ex-Real Madrid star Christian Karembeu has talked up new Blanco Ferland Mendy: "It's a great opportunity for Real Madrid and also the player. He could perhaps be the next Roberto Carlos."
His absence means Marcelo is the club's only recognised availablesenior left-back. Sergio Reguilon joined Sevilla on loan in July.
Manager Zinedine Zidane was already without key players ahead of the start of the season.
Marco Asensio is expected to miss the majority of the campaign after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal.
"He has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus of his left knee," the club said in a statement (h/tBBC Sport).
Brahim Diaz also picked up a thigh injury in pre-season training and is expected to miss the start of the new campaign, per Miguel Angel LaraatMarca.
Real Madrid have friendlies against Atletico Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg scheduled before they take on Celta.
Zidane will be under pressure to get his team off to a strong start after a disappointing season last time out and a summer of heavy investment that has seen players such as Mendy, Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic brought in.
Takefusa Kubo: The 'Japanese Messi' Making His Mark with Real Madrid
Jul 25, 2019
HOUSTON, TX - JULY 20: Takefusa Kubo of Real Madrid during the 2019 International Champions Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at NRG Stadium on July 20, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Takefusa Kubo has made an immediate impact since joining Real Madrid. His debut against Bayern Munich on Sunday has been acclaimed by the press in Spain and reinforced comparisons made with another gifted No. 10, Leo Messi. There will be sterner tests than a pre-season game on tour in North America to come, but some of Kubo's similarities with the Argentinian—his short stature, his ball control—are inescapable.
"He reminds one of Messi, the way he can pull away with the ball from defenders. He's very direct, and he can do unusual things, but it's unfair to compare him to Messi, possibly the greatest player in history—to put that weight on his shoulders," says Miguel Angel Lara, a journalist with Marca who is covering Real Madrid's tour in the United States.
"More than his technical ability, what impresses me the most is his mentality. He's very mature. Against Bayern, he looked like a player who has been playing a long time with Real Madrid. It's not normal for a kid of 18 years of age, who comes from Japan, a country and a culture which is so different to Spain's [look so comfortable]. It's true he spent a few years in Barcelona, but it's still a big change for him.
"Normally players his age are shy like, say, Karim Benzema when he first joined Real Madrid in 2009. This guy, no. He looks for the ball. He plays like he's still playing with a bunch of kids. He doesn't show any signs of inferiority. He's brave. He never looks to pass backwards. He's always on the front foot. This is important. He's a guy with a lot of personality."
Kubo, who signed with Real Madrid in mid-June, has previous with Spain; he joined Barcelona's youth academy in 2011. Oscar Hernandez, who worked as a coach with Barca from 2007 until 2017, was tracking him for a few years before Kubo enrolled at La Masia and had no doubts about recommending him to the club. His qualities were obvious.
"He has the three qualities you look for in a player—rapid decision-making in reduced space, the ability to create space for teammates and his speed; his movement into open spaces is incredible," says Hernandez.
"He's also a player who is versatile. He's chameleonic. His usual position is on the right wing, with an ability to cut inside, but he can also play in midfield or centre-forward. He's got a good left foot. He knows how to take advantage of a situation.
"He can adapt to different styles too. He was schooled at La Masia to play possession-based football—to know how to occupy space, to know where the ball will arrive, to generate numerical superiority, to create more options for passing, short and long. On the other hand, he's good at quick transitions—the kind of play that Real Madrid favours—because he's fast and he's got good control. He's an intelligent footballer."
At La Masia, Kubo excelled. In the 2012-2013 season, he was the top scorer in his age group, bagging 74 goals in 30 games, but the ban Barcelona incurred by FIFA for illegally signing underaged players from overseas meant he had to return to Japan, where he joined FC Tokyo, in 2015. Barcelona kept tabs on him and looked to be in pole position to sign him once he turned 18 in June 2019, but Real Madrid snatched him from under their noses.
TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 30: Takefusa Kubo of FC Barcelona in action during the U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge 2013 final match between FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC at Ajinomoto Stadium on August 30, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Imag
"Barca lost Kubo because they didn't have an agreement with him—not a financial one or a sporting one," says Hernandez. "Between all the people that had to agree about him at Barcelona, there wasn't any agreement for different reasons. So the relationship Kubo had for several years with the club was broken. The player studied offers from other European clubs, and it was the one from Real Madrid that was the most interesting one for him.
"It's a pity Barcelona [missed out] on him. I think he is a player made for playing at Barca. He was formed at the club's cantera [youth academy]. He had everything to be a success at Barcelona—he knew the club, the city, the language. He learnt how to play the club's specific position game. When he returned to Japan, we tracked him. I had been watching out for him since 2008. So of course it's a shame."
There is a fever brewing in Japan about his progress at Real Madrid, which is building on his impressive performances for Japan in June's Copa America. Clips of him scoring goals in Real Madrid's training sessions are going viral all before he has made his competitive debut with the club.
Kubo has shown remarkable maturity so far, though, in handling the expectations that swirl around him. It's something that has struck Sean Carroll, a journalist who has been covering Japanese football for a decade.
"He's very self-assured," says Carroll. "Every now and again players come through like Nakata or Keisuke Honda who are confident like Kubo, but usually they're fairly shy. They look uncomfortable under the glare of the media. They seem happy to play along with the hierarchy, and avoid stepping out of line, but whenever I've seen Kubo he always seems sure of himself.
"I remember the media gave him this nickname 'Kubo Kun'—kun is an affectionate name given to male children. Sergio Aguero, for example, has 'Kun Aguero' on his shirt, which comes from watching a Japanese manga cartoon on television when he was a kid. But when the press started calling him 'Kubo Kun,' he came out and said, 'Will you stop referring to me as that? I'm in the first-team squad. I'm a regular player. Can you use the [honorific] "senshu" instead, the same as with other players?' He was probably about 16 or 17 at the time. It stood out that he had that self-confidence. He's always seemed nonplussed by the excitement around him. It doesn't seem to affect him."
LANDOVER, MD - JULY 23: Takefusa Kubo of Real Madrid during the International Champions Cup fixture between Real Madrid and Arsenal at FedExField on July 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
There is a fork in the road ahead. Unless Kubo does something really explosive in a month of pre-season friendlies—like, for example, the way a young Marco Asensio muscled his way into Real Madrid's first-team squad in the summer of 2016—there is no room for Kubo to play La Liga football with Real Madrid next season. Zinedine Zidane's squad is already top-heavy with attacking players, most notably the club's marquee signing, Eden Hazard.
Both Hernandez and Lara believe Kubo should be loaned out to another Spanish premier division club to further his development, but Zidane might choose to play him in the club's reserve team, Castilla, which is coached by club legend Raul.
"There's not space in the squad for Kubo at the moment," says Lara. "Raul would prefer him in Castilla, and Zidane as well would like to keep him close. If he performs really well, they could promote him like what happened with Vinicius last season.
"The problem with Castilla is that they play in Second Division B in Spain—against teams with a lot of veterans, players looking for a fight. They're very aggressive. He would have a bullseye on his back. The games are really hard. They are played on bad pitches, especially in winter. Kubo has too much skill to play at that level. He'd get more protection playing on loan in the premier division at a club like Valladolid or Espanyol, which have been good places for Real Madrid players to develop and to gain confidence."
Real Madrid is a tough place—probably the toughest club in the world—to make it as a professional footballer. Carroll cites the case of Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian prodigy who was signed by Real Madrid in a multi-million-euro deal to much fanfare as a 16-year-old in 2015. Several years later, he has yet to convince Real Madrid he has what it takes. He will spend another season out on loan in 2019-20—this time at Real Sociedad—part of a never-ending odyssey away from the Bernabeu. "It's a cautionary tale," says Carroll.
Kubo might be made of sterner stuff. He has already made his mark at every one of his stations. He's shown ambition in joining Real Madrid. Now for the next stage.
"It's a beautiful story so far, Kubo's," says Hernandez. "Let's see where it takes him."
Real Madrid's Marco Asensio to Undergo Surgery to Repair Knee Injury
Jul 24, 2019
Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio could miss the entire 2019/20 season after rupturing his cruciate ligament, which will require an operation.
The club confirmed in a medical report the Spaniard had suffered the injury and will undergo surgery in the coming days.
Per the Mirror's James Whaling, Asensio was stretchered off the pitch in Real's penalty win over Arsenal in the International Champions Cup on Tuesday after challenging Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the ball.
ManagerZinedine Zidane had said after the match he was "concerned" about Asensio after he was taken to hospital with the injury.
Real Madrid fear Marco Asensio could be out for the season after being stretchered off against Arsenal.
ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan relayed Zidane's comments on the winger:
Worst for Madrid last night was serious looking injury for Marco Asensio. Zidane: ‘We're concerned. It's his knee, he's gone straight to hospital for some tests so we'll see… But it doesn't look good.”
Above all, awful news for Asensio. Skipped the U21 Euros, joined Madrid's preseason on Day 1 to get back into top condition and play his way back into the starting line-up, played very well against Arsenal, now set to miss 8-9 months of action.
The 23-year-old has not quite kicked on as many hoped after he broke into Real's first team following a successful loan spell with Espanyol in the 2015-16 campaign.
Last season, Real will have been hoping he would be among those to step up after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but a return of six goals and nine assists in 44 appearances did relatively little to bolster the team during a poor campaign.
He remains an exciting prospect, though, one with a great deal of potential.
His injury at FedExField in Maryland came after he had scored to make it 2-2 with the Gunners, and he's the kind of player who specialises in making decisive contributions when he's on form.
Asensio is also a versatile player who can operate on either flank or as a No. 10 if needed, so a lengthy absence does Zidane no favours.
Zinedine Zidane: 'Nothing Has Changed' on Gareth Bale Future After Arsenal Goal
In his first pre-season appearance, Bale came off the bench to net for Los Blancos in an ill-tempered 2-2 draw on Tuesday. The Wales international had missed Real's match against Bayern Munich on Saturday.
After the meeting with the Gunners, Zidane was asked again for his thoughts on Bale, with the coach having previously spoken candidly about how he wants the player to leave the club this summer, per Sacha Pisani of Goal:
"He is with us, and we will continue working. We play well 10 against 11 and better 10 against 10. I don't know what will happen. He wanted to play and the other day no.
"I haven't talked to him. He has trained normally and that's why he played. Nothing has changed, you know what the situation is like."
The competition Twitter account shared a clip of Bale's goal from FedExField in Washington, D.C.:
Plenty were surprised to see the 30-year-old involved in the game given the recent war of words between Zidane and his camp.
After the match against Bayern Munich, Zidane said "we hope he leaves soon" when asked about Bale's future. The Frenchman also said that before the match with the Bundesliga club, Bale "didn't get changed for the game because he didn't want to."
Meanwhile, Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett hit back after some of Zidane's comments:
"Zidane is a disgrace!"
Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, is furious with Zidane's comments on the Welsh winger. 😡 pic.twitter.com/HCJwHherZP
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 21, 2019
His overall record compares favourably to that of his manager, who was a Madrid icon:
It doesn't appear as though finding a new home for Bale will be straightforward.
Sid Lowe of the Guardian reported Bale was considering a move to the Chinese Super League, with Manchester United no longer interested in the Welshman and Bayern Munich unable to afford the winger.
However, as BBC Sport's Simon Stone relayed, reports from China indicate that a transfer taking Bale to the country is now unlikely:
Wherever Gareth Bale is going (if anywhere) it doesn't sound like it will be China. https://t.co/HBjYJcLOgP
Despite his remarkable success at the Santiago Bernabeu—Bale has won the UEFA Champions League four times, scoring on three occasions across four finals—there has never been a strong affinity between the former Tottenham Hotspur star and the Madridistas.
With that in mind, Zidane's attempts to accelerate a transfer aren't likely to kick up much of a fuss among the fanbase. It will now be intriguing to see if Los Blancos are able to find a club to take one of their top earners off their hands before the transfer window closes.
Gareth Bale's Agent, Jonathan Barnett, Rules Out Loan Move from Real Madrid
Jul 23, 2019
Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has said he can "guarantee" the Welshman will not leave Real Madrid on loan this summer, nor will the player leave in any "makeshift" deal.
Bale's future at the Santiago Bernabeu looks in serious doubt after Zinedine Zidane said Real were working on moving him out of the club:
Barnett, though, has made it clear that any transfer will need to be permanent, per Sky Sports: "There will be no makeshift deals to get him out of the club. Gareth is one of the best players on the planet. I can guarantee you he will not be going on loan to any club."
While it is clear Real want to move on from Bale, there are few other places he could go.
PerSid Loweof TheGuardian, the 30-year-old will not take a pay cut from his current €17 million (£15.25 million) per-year salary after tax, and Los Blancos are "reluctant to accept a free transfer."
He still has three years remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu, and it is a slight mystery why Zidane seems so eager to get rid of him after the success he has had in six seasons at the club:
Said this before (and, yes, there’s more to it than this) but there’s something absurd about the way the key accusations against Bale are framed: essentially accused of going to bed early, not being good at Spanish and playing golf. Hardly the most heinous crimes.
If money were no object, most clubs would likely be keen to sign Bale, as he still boasts incredible pace and agility, and is a proven goalscorer.
Barnett's latest comments, though, increase the likelihood Bale could find himself stranded at Real with a manager who does not want to use him.
A temporary move on loan to any number of clubs would have given Bale the opportunity to play more first-team football while allowing Real extra time to work out how to get him off their books completely.
But if the former Tottenham Hotspur star wants a permanent move without his wages being cut, the options are sparse.
Per Lowe, Manchester United are "not prepared to bid," and Bayern Munich cannot afford him.
He would not move to Barcelona given their rivalry with Real, Manchester City do not need him, and Cristiano Ronaldo may object to a Juventus-Bale pairing.
Of the European clubs that could afford the Welsh star, that arguably leaves only Paris Saint-Germain, who may yet have a space to fill if Neymar departs.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has denied he disrespected Gareth Bale with recent remarks on the Welshman's situation, saying his suspect grasp of the Spanish language is to blame for any confusion.
Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, responded to Zidane's original comments and told ESPN FC the manager was a "disgrace."
Zidane attracted attention for leaving Bale out of his 19-man squad for Sunday's 3-1 pre-season defeat to Bayern Munich, though he told reporters on Monday that was the player's decision:
"I'll try to be very clear with this, with Gareth. Firstly, I have not disrespected anyone, least of all a player because I always said the same thing, that players are the most important thing, and every time there is a player here I am always with them.
"Secondly, I said the club was trying to get him out. Period.
"Thirdly, the other day Gareth didn't play because he didn't want to. He said the club was trying to negotiate his departure and didn't want to play because of that. So far, Bale hasn't asked not to play tomorrow."
ESPN FChighlighted Zidane's admission that his "Spanish is very suspect" at times. He first moved to Madrid in 2001 and has spent a lot of his life since then in Spain, having raised a family in the capital.
The manager's comments appear to suggest it was the club who want Bale out and not himself.
He laughed on Sunday when he said Real were working on Bale's exit and that it "would be better" if he left the club tomorrow, adding he hoped a departure was imminent, via ESPN FC:
Bale, 30, looks set to end a seven-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he has a long list of honours, including four UEFA Champions League titles, one La Liga, one Copa del Rey and three FIFA Club World Cups.
Journalist Darren Lewis defended the player following his treatment at Real, as well as his right to demand full payment if he does leave:
Bale situation is a reminder that loyalty in football is overrated. When clubs want you out they get you out. Zidane was as blatant about luring Bale to Real as he is being about wanting to get rid of him. Bale has every right to ensure his (lucrative) contract is paid up.
The Telegraph's Matt Law wrote Bale earns around £600,000 per week at the Bernabeu, meaning it's difficult to know which clubs could viably afford to recruit him. Chinese clubs such as Jiangsu Suning andBeijing Guoan have been linked but would need to pay Bale in excess of £1 million per week.
Sky Sports News recently discussed the notion that Zidane's grudge with Bale could be personal:
Is the rift between Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane and forward Gareth Bale personal?
Yahoo's Andrew Gaffney also cited a report from journalist Diego Torres Romano, who suggested Bale's relationship with new arrival Eden Hazard is a potential lifeline for the former Spurs star:
Florentino personally asked Bale to help Hazard fit in at the club and in Spain. The pair have been really close over preseason and Florentino hoped that Hazard could eventually win over Zidane and get him to hand Bale another chance at the club.
Bale has a contract with Real until the summer of 2022 and could attempt to fight for his spot at the Bernabeu, while boss Zidane maintains it's the club who are pushing for a separation.
Gareth Bale's Agent Says Real Madrid Boss Zinedine Zidane Is 'A Disgrace'
Jul 21, 2019
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 19: Gareth Bale during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 19, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has called Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane a "disgrace" after the Frenchman said he hopes the forward leaves the Santiago Bernabeu soon.
Barnett told AFP: "Zidane is a disgrace; he shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid."
The Welshman's representative was then asked if Bale is set to leave Real Madrid and added "we are working on it."
Bale was left out of Real Madrid's pre-season fixture against Bayern Munich at the International Champions Cup in the United States on Sunday.
Zidane made his feelings about the 30-year-old quite clear after the 3-1 defeat:
The Wales international has been a key player for Los Blancos and has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and four UEFA Champions League titles with the club, scoring over 100 goals:
Zinedine Zidane confirmed Real Madrid are looking to sell Gareth Bale
Bale's career at Real Madrid has frequently been interrupted by injury, but he also appears to have been frozen out by Zidane since he returned to the club for a second spell as manager in March.
The forward found himself out of the starting XI towards the end of the season and did not even make it off the bench in Real Madrid's final La Liga fixture of a disappointing campaign:
Real Betis condemn Real Madrid to twelfth league defeat this season as Gareth Bale's farewell turns sour with Welshman forced to watch defeat from the bench https://t.co/3m2SY9LCNhpic.twitter.com/Xv6F7hdZ1g
Real Madrid finished in third place in La Liga, were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by bitter rivals Barcelona and saw their Champions League hopes ended by Ajax.
Zidane's comments have prompted fresh speculation over Bale's future, and a move away from the Bernabeu now appears to be on the cards.
Chinese side Beijing Guoan are interested in the Welshman and can afford his £600,000-per-week wages, according to Matt Law at the Daily Telegraph.
Miguel Delaney at The Independent reported that Paris Saint-Germain are discussing a swap deal with Real Madrid involving Neymar and Bale.
The Welsh star's contract at the club runs until 2022, and he had appeared set to stay at Real Madrid. However, Zidane's latest comments suggest Bale has no future with Los Blancos and will need to find a way out before the close of the transfer window.
