Reports in Spain claim Bale told team-mates ‘if Real Madrid want me to go they must pay me £15m-a-season or I’ll stay and play golf’
SENSATIONAL reports in Spain claim Gareth Bale has told Real Madrid team-mates he is ready to go to war with the La Liga giants if they want to force him out.
Spanish radio station Radioestadio quote the Welshman as telling them: “I’ve got three years left on my contract. If they want me to go, they’ll need to pay me €17m per season. If not, I’ll stay here. And if I have to play golf, I will.”
It was just the latest twist on a dramatic day which suggests frontman Bale‘s six-year Real career is at its lowest ebb.
After Zinedine Zidane recalled the Manchester United target to the squad for today’s home clash with Real Betis, Bale stayed on the bench throughout as the mid-table visitors pulled off a shock 2-0 win.
Bale, 29, then disappeared down the tunnel at the final whistle without a single wave to the crowd, let alone joining in the lap of honour afte Real finished a dismal third.
The former Tottenham wideman and his representatives have always insisted he wants to see out his Real deal, despite irregular appearances in the past two seasons and persistent interest from Premier League giants.
But Bale’s reported comments today took the saga to a new level – although many Spanish fans on social media were highly doubtful that he would speak so openly.
Radioestadio tweeted their amazing claim of Bale’s quote, stating it was sourced by one of their sports journalists.
Their post began: “Fernando Burgos says a phrase from BALE in the locker room of @ realmadrid”.
The tweet then quotes Bale as saying if Real tried to force him out he would play golf and expect around £15m “net per season” for the last three years of his contract.
Bernabeu chief Zidane still claims he is unsure if Bale will stay – after his erratic stint in Spain plagued by injuries and erratic form – but hinted he has ran out of patience.
The Frenchman said: “We will have to wait and see as, at the moment, I do not know what will happen.
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“In truth, I have counted on other players in more in recent weeks, and if I had a fourth substitute today I would not have brought him on.
“I make these decisions when it is right to do so, and I must act in the best interests of the team at all times.
“This may be difficult for a player who has been successful here, but I must think of what is right at any given time.”