Real Madrid boss Zidane leaves Gareth Bale out of squad amid Tottenham transfer rumours
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has left Gareth Bale out of his La Liga squad to face Atletico Madrid, amid rumours that the Wales international could be returning to Tottenham on transfer deadline day.
Tottenham: Bale to Spurs is a ‘complicated transfer’ says Hislop
Real Madrid have left Gareth Bale out of their squad to face rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga. It comes after the Wales international has been linked with a sensational move back to his old club Tottenham on transfer deadline day.
Bale has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid for a number of months.
He almost left the club on deadline day in August, in a mega move to China.
But, Zinedine Zidane decided to stop the deal before it could be completed.
Now, amid rumours that Tottenham have made a breakthrough in talks for Bale, Zidane decided to leave Bale out of his matchday squad for Saturday’s Madrid derby.
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Zidane’s comments came after The Times claimed Spurs were close to agreeing a deal with Real Madrid for the transfer of Bale.
But, last week, Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, claimed that the forward was “fine” and planned to see out his contract.
Bale is still contracted to Real Madrid until at least 2022.
Spanish journalist Alvaro Montero believes that Spurs won’t be signing Bale this month.
Real Madrid transfer news: Bale has been linked with a move to Spurs for a number of months (Image: GETTY Images)
“We have noticed that Bale is not going to play tomorrow in the Madrid derby.
“Zidane hasn’t included him in the squad list for the second game in a row, which is obviously a message for Bale, but as far as we know, he is going to stay at Real Madrid.”
The 30-year-old was signed by Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2013.
He left north London in a £91million deal, and has since made 246 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 105 goals.