Journalist Tom Barclay has hinted that Gareth Bale could be interested in re-joining Southampton ahead of the World Cup.
Bale has been out of favour this season for Real Madrid and his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. He has featured just four times in La Liga this season in a campaign that has been mixed with injuries and conflict for the Welsh international.
With Bale’s contract set the expire at the end of the season, he will be a free agent and without a club, which is not ideal for him, especially if Wales do reach the World Cup that is taking place in November.
Whilst speaking to GiveMeSport amid links between Bale and the Saints, Barclay noted that the Welsh international returning to Southampton would be ‘amazing’, the chances of such a move could depend on whether he requires some match fitness before the World Cup next winter.
He said: “It would be amazing if he did join – what a signing. When you start thinking about Bale, it does feel like if Wales go to the World Cup, that could be very dependent on it. We’re all speculating and only Bale knows whether he wants to carry on but, presumably, he’d want to play in that World Cup and he can’t just not play ahead of that.”
TIF Thoughts on Tom Barclay’s comments…
Bale’s saga with Real Madrid is finally set to be over at the end of the season, and with him being a free agent, there is no doubt that he will want to be with a club playing regular football ahead of the World Cup should Wales qualify.
The Welshman has proven that he can still perform on the world stage after he recently scored twice and was awarded an 8.7 player rating for Wales against Austria in their World Cup play-off, so he could still cut it if he was to join a club like Southampton ahead of next season.