Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo Rumours
Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has flown to Spain to discuss the future of Real Madrid's Welsh forward.
This line is almost unanimously agreed upon by the Spanish and English press, but the result of the talks is not.
Juan Jimenez of AS indicates that Barnett "wanted to learn firsthand about what the president plans to do with Bale. Barnett asked Florentino [Perez] to tell him as soon as possible if, as he has heard from certain sectors, the player that he represents is for sale."
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
If this is true, Jimenez suggests Barnett will "immediately activate the exit operation" for Bale, who continues to be linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea, reported by David Kent of the MailOnline.
Jimenez believes "Bale wants to go on holiday with his future already resolved, and he has instructed Barnett to obtain a clear and unequivocal message from Madrid."
AS' headline surrounding Bale's potential exit can be seen below:
However, John Cross of the Mirror believes the Welshman "looks certain to stay" at the Bernabeu. This is backed up by Kent, who suggests "Real are keen to keep him" and that Florentino Perez "wants to see a greater return on his £86 million investment and is keen to see what can be changed to help the player improve in Madrid."
As such, Bale's future remains unclear. Despite a poor season, his powerful running style and ability to dribble beyond opponents is pivotal to the way Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid operates.
His value to the team could fluctuate massively if the Italian boss is dismissed for failing to win the league and retain the Champions League this season. A new boss may wish to move Bale on or utilise him in a more central position, a role he excelled in at Tottenham Hotspur.
B/R UK's Guillem Balague suggests other problems beside Bale need to be addressed:
Considering Madrid paid £85.3 million for Bale less than two years ago, they would be showing a tremendous lack of faith in his ability if they move him on. Let's not forget Bale scored pivotal goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals last season, strikes that defined Madrid's expectations for this year.
His 13 goals and nine assists in 31 league appearances this campaign, per WhoScored.com, would be hailed as a quality return for many others. However, expectations are different at Madrid, a club where Cristiano Ronaldo's output forces comparisons that are never going to be positive in Bale's favour.
Ronaldo is also said to be "unsettled at Real Madrid," per Marca (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro).
Sanderson's report suggests Madrid's relative failure on the trophy front this season has "boosted" the chances of the player's exit, something that could interest his former club in Manchester. Paris Saint-Germain "have made an offer" for the Portuguese superstar's services, according to Sanderson, but it seems highly unlikely Madrid will cash in on their top goalscorer.
As highlighted by his 45 goals in La Liga this season, Ronaldo's influence doesn't threaten to cease. Granted, he has been on the periphery of matches more often this campaign, but his domestic tally is currently the best in Europe, four ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
Both he and Bale, alongside Karim Benzema, form the attacking trident that spearheads Ancelotti's attack. Again, if a new manager arrives, it would be interesting to see if significant changes are made.
Ronaldo is synonymous with Madrid's recent success, but getting rid of CR7 would signal a new era for the club. Still, at 30 years old, he has plenty of goalscoring years ahead of him.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
