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Gareth Bale new contract: Real Madrid is where I want to retire
WHEN HE was asked yesterday about the wages which come with his new six-year deal at Real Madrid, Gareth Bale was giving little away. “That’s for me to know and no-one else to find out, sorry,” he said.
Bumper Madrid deal banks Bale over 115 mn euros
It will not stop the speculation, though, with suggestions that the 27-year-old superstar will now be earning in the region of £18million a year – £350,000 per week after tax - and is in the top three best-paid players in the world, along with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
But what he was giving away was that he can see himself finishing his career at Madrid after putting pen to paper yesterday on a deal which ties him to Real until June 30, 2022.
Gareth Bale has been regularly linked with a big-money move back to England but can envisage ending his top-flight career at the Bernabeu.
“Yeah, for sure. The reason I signed here for so long is because I am very happy here,” said Bale.
Gareth Bale will be 33 when his contract expires at Madrid
Gareth Bale joins Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the world's best-paid footballers
“I feel more comfortable every year that I’m here as well. I am improving my Spanish, my family’s more settled. I fully intend to see out my contract here.
“Obviously in the future, I don’t know when I am going to retire, but I am very happy here at the moment and for the next six years I am not looking past that really.”
United have long been linked with a move for Bale, even before the Welshman left Spurs to join Real in 2013 for a then-world record fee of £85.3million.
As recently as last month there was speculation of a possible attempt by the Red Devils to sign the flying forward, but Bale himself insists he knows nothing about any transfer talk.
Bale concedes it has not all been plain-sailing for him in Spain, with the former Southampton youngster having had to deal with injuries and criticism.
But he insists all that has helped him develop as a player and a person.
He said: “It’s been a difficult journey. It’s very difficult for British players to come over to any European club. I’ve had my difficult times and I’ve had good times. I think it’s all a learning curve.
“I have really grown up as a person and I have enjoyed every experience, whether it’s been good or bad.
“I feel happy here, I feel loved by the fans here and want to give everything for the shirt to win try and win as many trophies as I can.”
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