Manchester United transfer target Gareth Bale blames Real Madrid exit comments on 'frustration'

New Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui will play a significant part in deciding Bale's future

Ed Malyon
Friday 13 July 2018 12:20 EDT
Comments
Manchester United have renewed their efforts to sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid
Manchester United have renewed their efforts to sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid (AFP/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Gareth Bale has moved to play down his own comments about leaving Real Madrid, with a new coach and Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure opening up the possibility of the Welshman staying at the Bernabeu.

Bale, 28, scored a brace from the bench in the Champions League final against Liverpool in June but hadn’t even left the field before casting doubt over his future.

"I need to be playing week in week out and that hasn't happen this season for one reason or another,” he said.

Bale scored a stunning goal and then cast doubt over his Madrid future in Kiev
Bale scored a stunning goal and then cast doubt over his Madrid future in Kiev (Getty)

“I need to sit down in the summer and discus it with my agent and go from there."

Back in the spring, sources close to the forward were certain that he would be leaving the club after the season’s end but Zinedine Zidane’s shock departure and the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up more potential playing time for Bale as well as removing the coach who consistently left him out of the starting line-up.

Those same sources denied stories this week that there was any deal in the pipeline with Manchester United for the Welsh star, and Bale has further moved to dampen talk of his departure in a Q+A at his bar in Cardiff on Thursday night:

"I was frustrated, I've said before, not to start the game.

"But I knew I was capable of being involved in the game and I was. It was great to get the goal, pure emotion.

"I kind of just went on holiday afterwards and tried to disconnect.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in