Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has said that a Tottenham Hotspur move for Gareth Bale can’t be ruled out.
The Welshman’s stay in the Spanish capital drew to a close as he collected his fifth Champions League medal on Saturday night, although he only played seven minutes throughout the whole tournament in what has been a sombre end to his career at Los Blancos.
Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett confirmed that the 32-year-old will walk away from the club when his contract ends in a few weeks, with his future depending on whether Wales qualify for the World Cup in November.
It is thought that he may retire if the Dragons fail to beat either Scotland or Ukraine in the play-offs this week, but he will need a club in order to maintain his fitness levels should they reach their first World Cup since 1958.
Having spent last season on loan at Spurs, Taylor has refused to shut down the idea of a third spell with the Lilywhites.
He told GiveMeSport: “I don’t know if Spurs will pursue Gareth Bale, but he will leave Real Madrid this summer, so it’s obviously dependent on whether he continues playing if Wales qualify for the World Cup.
“If Wales do qualify, then Tottenham would be an option. I don’t know how serious Tottenham would be about signing him, but you can’t rule out a move to Spurs if that was to happen.”
TIF Thoughts on Gareth Bale…
Bale has enjoyed a stellar career, but recent seasons have been a struggle.
The winger made just seven appearances under Carlo Ancelotti this season, but has still shown his worth at international level, bagging both goals in March as Wales defeated Austria to move within one game of a place at Qatar.
During his return to the Premier League in the 2020/21 campaign, Bale netted 11 goals and provided two assists in 20 appearances, again demonstrating that the ability is still there for all to see.
However, with the January arrival of Dejan Kulusevski – alongside Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn – it is unlikely there would be room for him in the Spurs squad under Antonio Conte without departures in north London.