Real Madrid could face investigation into bailed-out bank's role in Gareth Bale transfer

Conservative MEP Daniel Dalton is among three members of the European parliament to look into the deal

Gareth Bale is unveiled as a Real Madrid player in 2013 (Getty)

Real Madrid are facing the prospect of an investigation into claims they indirectly benefitted from British tax-payers’ money to complete the £85.3m transfer of Gareth Bale.

Conservative MEP for the West Midlands Daniel Dalton is among three members of the European parliament to have handed a written request to the European Commission to look into the Welshman’s world-record exit from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.

Flemish representative Sander Loones and Catalan counterpart Ramon Tremosa complete the trio of MEPs looking for answers after the suggestion Bankia, who received €18bn in tax-payers’ money when it was saved by the European Union, acted as a guarantor for Madrid.

Following that bail-out deal, Bankia in effect became a nationalised company, meaning their involvement could be considered as a case of illegal state aid to Madrid.

MEP Dalton said: “If taxpayers’ money was used to underwrite the Gareth Bale transfer deal then this is something the EU should investigate further.

The Welshman has won the Champions League since leaving Tottenham (Getty)

“Real Madrid are the world's richest football club and if it has used a state owned bank, owned by taxpayers to guarantee multi-million pound record transfer fees, then it is clearly something the EU should look to address to ensure there are no unfair competitive advantages given to football teams supported by taxpayer funded financial institutions.”

Bale has been a success in Spain since leaving Spurs, scoring 41 goals in 73 appearances, and helping Real to win the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa Del Rey.