"We hope [Bale] leaves soon, it would be best for everyone," says Zidane; winger's agent says Real boss is "a disgrace"
Monday 22 July 2019 08:32, UK
Gareth Bale's agent has branded Zinedine Zidane a "disgrace" after the Real Madrid manager said the forward was very close to leaving the club.
Bale did not feature in Real's 3-1 International Champions Cup defeat to Bayern Munich in Houston on Saturday night, and Zidane said the Welshman's omission from the squad was because he is on the verge of sealing a departure.
"Bale did not play because he is very close to leaving," explained Zidane. "We hope he leaves soon, it would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team.
"I have nothing personal against him, but there is a time where things are done because they must be done. I have to make decisions, we have to change.
"The exit is the coach's decision, and also of the player, who knows the situation. The situation will change, I do not know if in 24 or 48 hours, but it will, and it's a good thing for everyone."
Bale's representative Jonathan Barnett has reacted furiously to Zidane's comments, telling AFP: "Zidane is a disgrace, he shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid."
Barnett did confirm Bale is in the process of leaving the Bernabeu, saying: "We are working on it."
Sky Sports News understands the 30-year-old will only leave Real if he feels the move is right for him and his family, who enjoy life in Madrid and are settled in the Spanish capital.
Provisional discussions have been held with interested parties about a transfer this summer, but Sky Sports News understands Bale's camp have not discussed a move to Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that would see Neymar go the other way.
In the build-up to Saturday night's clash with Real, Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara said like any top player, Bale would be welcomed at the Allianz Arena.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he is in the dark over whether Daniel Levy is trying to get Bale.
Speaking to reporters after Spurs' win over Juventus, Pochettino said: "At the moment I don't have any information from my chairman.
"I don't know if we are [in for him] or it's another club.
"I saw in the media but I do not know which club is going to sign him. I do not know if it is us or another club. It is the job of my chairman to build the best possible club."
Follow the Summer Transfer Window on Sky Sports
Sky Sports News is home to three new shows dedicated to bringing you the very latest news from this summer's transfer market.
Start your day with Good Morning Transfers at 9am as our team of reporters and pundits bring you the latest news and insight. Transfer Talk then follows at midday, delivering the biggest stories that matter to you. And join us at 7pm for the definitive round-up of the day's news with The Transfer Show.
And as well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
There's also the Transfer Talk Podcast, the daily UK, Regional and European Paper Talk, plus features across skysports.com and the Sky Sports app.
