Real Madrid's Gareth Bale won't return to Premier League - agent
Wednesday 9 September 2015 07:34, UK
Gareth Bale was "nowhere near" a summer transfer from Real Madrid and is unlikely to play again in the Premier League, according to his agent.
After Sky sources reported in August that Manchester United were considering a move, it now seems highly unlikely the 26-year-old will ever be heading to Old Trafford, or even the English top-flight.
When asked by Sky Sports News HQ chief news reporter Kavel Solhekol about the possibility of Bale leaving the Bernabeu for United, Jonathan Barnett said: "It's never been an item. He's at the biggest club in the world and he's going to be the biggest player in the world.
"Real Madrid have made it very clear he is their main player, or will be, and that's where it is going to stay. The next few years will be very exciting for him.
"He won't play anywhere else, I don't think, but you never know. I certainly don't think he'll come back to play in England but you never know.
"Times do change though. At the moment, he's very happy. There are two things he wants. That's Wales to qualify [for Euro 2016] and for Real to win as much as possible. And for him he wants to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or. With Real he's got a great chance."
Manchester United made an offer for Bale two years ago before Tottenham accepted a world record £86m bid from the Spanish club in 2013. It was a deal that Barnett brokered.
Bale said earlier this year that he could not see himself at Old Trafford because he was enjoying his time at the Bernabeu.
La Liga Football
"He has come nowhere near being transferred in the past few months," Barnett added. "It is all stupid paper talk.
"He is very happy at Real Madrid and hopefully he will stay there for the rest of his career. He is loving it there."
Bale has continued to hit the headlines for Wales, steering them to the brink of Euro 2016 qualification, but he has struggled at times to step out of the shadows of team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and win over Real's fans after a sporadic start to life in La Liga.
When asked how Bale ranked compared to the world's greatest players, Barnett added: "I'd put him up there at the moment with (Lionel) Messi and Ronaldo.
"I'd put him above Neymar but then I'm biased! It may change over the next couple of years. You may then see the best of Gareth and I think he'll become the best player in the world."
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