5 clubs Gareth Bale could join next after being denied Real Madrid send-off

The Welshman is about to become a free agent as his contract at Real Madrid expires at the end of the season and he is likely to have plenty of suitors in the summer transfer window

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Bale trains with Real Madrid tie ahead of Champions League tie at Man City

Gareth Bale is leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season and he will not get a send-off from the club’s fans.

The Welshman is sitting out the side’s final game of the season in La Liga against Real Betis on Thursday night and is unlikely to feature in the Champions League final against Liverpool. It is a tame end for the player’s eight-year career at the club and he did not even take part in their La Liga title celebrations parade earlier this month.

Bale has recently hit out at Spanish media outlet Marca as being “disgusting” for comparing him to a parasite over claims he is sucking money out of the Spanish giants. Bale concluded a rant against the reports by stating: “We all know who the real parasite is!” The forward had faced fresh criticism from the Madrid media after his starring role for Wales in their playoff win over Austria in March.

Bale is now on the lookout for a new club. Mirror Football analyses five possible destinations for the 32-year-old.

Cardiff City

Bale has never played for his hometown club but his agent Jonathan Barnett has admitted the Championship side are a possibility for his next move.

During his youth career, the Welshman left the capital as a 10-year-old to sign for Southampton – where he spent the next eight years before joining Tottenham. This move would fulfil a career-long ambition for Bale, and also provide him with the ideal location for international breaks with Wales.

Have Your Say! Which club should sign Bale this summer? Tell us what you think here.

When asked specifically about the Championship side, Barnett said: “We’ll look and see in due course [about Cardiff ]. But I repeat there are no options on the table at the moment. Cardiff has a lot of plusses. He’s from Wales, his family are from there. From a personal point of view it could appeal.

“But I emphasise this is me talking, my views, not Gareth’s. I have not discussed it with him.”

Tottenham

Bale is most known in the Premier League for his two different spells with Spurs. He propelled himself into an elite footballer during his six-year stint in North London between 2007 and 2013, before re-joining the club on loan again in the 2020-21 campaign.

The Welshman has netted 71 goals across his two stints with the club and while it is unlikely he will return to the club for a third time, Bale could play an important squad role in Antonio Conte’s squad next season.

DC United

An MLS club has long been suggested as a possible future destination for Bale with the Washington Post claiming that talks have taken place between the player’s representatives and DC United.

It is claimed that the US club would be willing to pay the Welshman more than they did to Wayne Rooney during his time State-side. It would be an economic and sporting package which is likely to be attractive to the player, but he may wish to remain in Europe for the time being.

Newcastle

The Magpies are likely to be linked with more players than any other club in this transfer window due to their new-found wealth and willingness to strongly invest in their squad.

Bale would certainly bolster Eddie Howe’s squad and their attacking options but it is unclear if he is a player who will be on their shortlist going into the window.

Milan

If Bale wishes to continue his continental adventure, the Milanese giants may be the ideal destination. They have shown a willingness to sign veteran attacking players in recent times – notably Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud.

The Rossoneri are on the verge of the Serie A title for the first time in over a decade and will be playing Champions League football again next season, with rumours of a takeover to bolster their financial position.