Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane tells Gareth Bale and TWO other stars they can leave club
REAL MADRID manager Zinedine Zidane has reportedly told Gareth Bale and two other players they can leave the club this summer.
Real Madrid: Zidane 'not backing Bale to stay' says pundit
Real Madrid boss Zidane has never seemed to take to Bale, with their rocky relationship lasting years.
The Frenchman snubbed the Wales international for starting berths in the 2017 and 2018 Champions League final but, when he left at the end of last season, Bale was expected to perform.
The player has endured a nightmare campaign at the Bernabeu, however, with things worsening since Zidane’s Real Madrid return back in March.
Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea have all been backed to move for the 29-year-old when the transfer window reopens.
And Spanish newspaper Marca claim Zidane has personally told Bale he is free to leave.
The report claims the duo met for a one-on-one chat and it was made clear to the Tottenham star that he was free to leave.
Bale was snubbed for Real Madrid’s victory over Villarreal on Sunday, with Zidane explaining the decision by saying: “I’m the coach, I have to pick the team and that’s all there is to it.
“You can interpret it as you wish.
“I need to pick a squad of players and some are going to miss out.”
Yet Bale was not the only Real Madrid star told they were free to leave at the end of the season.
Marca claim Zidane also told Marcos Llorente and Dani Ceballos they would be shown the door.
Llorente was, at one point, seen as the long-term heir for Toni Kroos.
But he has struggled for Real Madrid this season, making just six appearances in La Liga.
Ceballos, meanwhile, has never looked up to scratch.
The Spain international enjoyed an upturn in form when Santiago Solari was in charge.
But a parting of the ways now seems set to take place.
Ceballos has recently been linked with a move to the Premier League via West Ham United.
However, only time will tell if the Hammers will make a move for the Real Madrid misfit.