If there had been any way that Gareth Bale would have chosen to retire at Real Madrid, it would surely have been to win the Champions League again.
It may have been an unused substitute, but playing that famous trophy for the fifth time was a fairy tale ending. Now, however, he will have to look down. After all, he is a free agent, and he will have to choose his next destination very carefully.
That decision was put in the background as he helped Wales qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years, but with those celebrations closing emotionally, it’s time to put end to speculation about his future.
Gareth Bale inspired Wales to the World Cup and will now decide which club to join
Bale (front row, second from right) won the Champions League and retired to Real Madrid
There were suggestions, of course, that he could withdraw, although this is extremely unlikely, and probably impossible, with a place in Qatar this winter officer. So who is in the race and which club is in pole position?
There will be a lot of equipment sniffing around you, and it’s easy to see why. He leaves the Bernabeu with a record 106 goals in 256 appearances at the helm of the match, and has also won three league titles and the King’s Cup.
Bale is nothing short of a series winner and, despite his advanced age, would be more than an asset to any club looking for silver. But it is intriguing that teams in the lower divisions of the Premier League have been strongly linked to him.
A series winner, the striker will be an asset to any club, with a lot of them interested in him
In fact, many bookmakers’ favorites are Cardiff City. It may seem strange to fall for the Championship, but that would be a return to his hometown.
His agent, Jonathan Barnett, has also revealed that Bale’s next move will be for personal reasons, rather than the desire to pursue money. Wales boss Rob Page has intriguedly said that the superstar joining the Bluebirds would mark “many squares”.
There may also be MLS clubs in the race, while Southampton, Swansea and, sensationally, non-league Wrexham are part of the wild transfer carousel. So here’s Sportsmail trying to figure out what’s next for the striker.
CARDIFF
Bale has never represented the club in his hometown, but after comments from his representative, it would be nonsense to rule it out at this stage.
As a young man, he left Cardiff at the age of 10 to sign for Southampton and spent almost a decade doing his job on the south coast before moving to Tottenham.
It may make sense, then, for him to return to his roots, where his illustrious career took its first steps. Living in your home country would also be an advantage.
Cardiff is considered the favorite to sign him for bookmakers, despite his second-tier status
“Cardiff has a lot of advantages,” Barnett said. “He is from Wales, his family is from there. From a personal point of view he could be attracted.
Also, he insisted, he has not discussed the possibility with his players.
There should be a big compromise on their exorbitant wages, but if there is a mutual interest between the two parties, this agreement could cross the line.
PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT – 3/5
TOTTENHAM
Bale has spent two different periods at Tottenham, one as a player clearly destined to reach the top, and another as a veteran struggling to face life at Madrid.
On both occasions, however, he was received with open arms, and may be again.
The first stage, which lasted six years, lasted from 2007 to 2013, where it was crucial to the club’s success. He later moved to Spain on a record deal.
Bale has spent two different periods at Tottenham, but is unlikely to return for another
The 2020-21 campaign saw him return on loan under Jose Mourinho, who seemed reluctant to present his star man initially before handing him a more prominent role.
Bale has scored 71 goals for the Spurs, and his focus could be on scoring more. A third spell is unlikely, it is true, but Antonio Conte may be tempted.
His choice of system, which favors the fast and tricky extremes in a 4-3-3 way, aligns exactly with how he likes to play his team’s former hero, and fans may want to return.
In general, however, it seems that their fruitful association is over.
PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT – 2/5
A MOVE ABROAD
As with any superstar looking for a new challenge, clubs in MLS and other lucrative foreign leagues are quickly absorbed by speculation. This saga is no different.
The Washington Post has stated that talks have been held between the Bale camp and DC United, with the US side open to pay him a very nice salary.
They are even said to be willing to splash it out rather than lure Wayne Rooney across the Atlantic, which means the package may tempt him.
DC United lured Wayne Rooney to the US with a large financial package, and they also want Bale
Bale would become one of the last heavyweights to move from Europe to the United States, although he may want to stay on his current continent for his next change.
Saudi Arabia could also be your next destination.
Some teams out there have money to spend, and the adventure would be different from anything they’ve done so far.
PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT – 4/5
SOUTHAMPTON
This summer will be a transition for Southampton, with their coach Ralph Hasenhuttl and his team desperate to avoid another relegation.
They will need reinforcements to do so, however, and the arrival of Bale would be exactly the impetus needed to push them potentially out of the dogfight.
Bale is a former product of the Saints Academy, who has joined as a schoolboy.
Bale, a graduate of Southampton Academy, has been linked with a move to the south coast
Under the leadership of Sport Republic owners, the future of the club is unclear. Hasenhuttl will receive money to spend, but the exact amount is unknown.
Shaking to take Bale may be a short-term solution to this puzzle, but the quality it can offer, even for just a couple of seasons, can rejuvenate the club’s mood.
Southampton are believed to be expected to stay with their weapons, which will make them keep their current salary structure in place. Bale should fit into that.
PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT – 1/5
WREXHAM
Could this be the most amazing twist on the market?
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has suggested he has “a few ideas” about trying his luck to bring Bale to his club, even though they are not in the league.
It’s an ironic comment from the star It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, though, and not even the high ambitions he has are enough to take him to the extreme.
Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney (R) and Ryan Reynolds (L) have big ambitions for the side
The team narrowly lost promotion to League Two after losing to Grimsby in the play-offs and, at least for now, will have to look down.
Joking about making an offer for Bale, McElhenney responded to a tweet asking where the talisman would end up next season, a playful post well received by fans.
But all the humor aside, this is a move that won’t happen.
PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT – 0/5
SWAN
Bale has been considering joining another Welsh team in Swansea.
Apparently, this is another non-starter considering his connections to Cardiff, but again, he has been linked to a shocking move to the second tier of English football.
It would be a sensational coup for the Swans if they could turn their heads to Bale, although it is their Bluebird rivals who have the advantage in this particular fight.
Bale is willing to think carefully about his next destination, but while Swansea can’t be ruled out yet, his fans shouldn’t be thrilled with this blockbuster.
PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT – 1/5
Bale is considering returning to his homeland, but Swansea is currently out of action