Reports📰: Bale Could Be Offered China Exit Route😱

Real Madrid and Gareth Bale are working on his exit from the Bernabéu after six years in Spain, with China offering him a way out.

The relationship between the Welshman and Zinedine Zidane has broken down entirely with Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, calling the coach “a disgrace” after he admitted he hoped a departure was “imminent”. Having previously insisted that Bale did not want to leave, progress is now being made on a move which both the club and the player hope to conclude within the week.

Bale’s options have been limited by his age, salary and transfer fee and his camp initially insisted he had no intention of moving. The Welshman is on €17m (£15.25m) a year after tax and has refused to take a pay cut. Europe’s biggest clubs have been unable to put together a convincing package. Manchester United were not prepared to bid and Bayern Munich could not afford him. There had been suggestions of a return to Spurs, but Bale had ruled out a loan.

China’s Super League clubs can match Bale’s wage demands and there is a determination to continue signing big names – but 100% tax on transfers makes it difficult to put an agreeable offer to Real, who may have to cede. While Real are reluctant to release him cheaply, his wages account for more than €100m between now and the end of his contract in 2022. China’s transfer window closes in nine days.