Real Madrid transfer news: Gareth Bale facing summer loan move due to lack of permanent offers
The Welshman is unwanted by Zinedine Zidane but his salary and potential transfer fee are making a move difficult
Real Madrid may be forced to loan out Gareth Bale this summer due to a lack of interest in a permanent transfer for the Wales superstar.
Bale, 29, is widely expected to leave the Bernabeu in the coming months after the return of Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane took over at Madrid just 10 months after walking away from a squad that needed significant remodelling if it were to continue a run of three consecutive Champions League wins. Bale is one of a number of players who Zidane is looking to part with as he aims to make the squad younger and build around emerging talents like Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior, with the club so keen to bin Bale now that they are ready to lower their demands.
In the absence of any suitors, however, Real Madrid have opened up a new avenue to Bale's exit.
Marca's front page on Monday claims that the club is looking to loan out the ageing winger who has played just 53% of available minutes this season.
Zinedine Zidane returns to Real Madrid
Show all 10With few clubs willing or able to buy Bale permanently in the off-season that he turns 30, Marca describes how the club have come to the decision that a loan deal much like James Rodriguez's exit to Bayern Munich would work best.
Bale will be allowed to leave Madrid if another club offers to pay his salary and an annual loan fee. In the case of James Rodriguez, a fee of around £5m per year with an option to make the deal permanent.
A gross salary of nearly £500,000 per week will, however, still keep the pool of clubs that can afford to relieve Real Madrid of their highest-paid player very small.
Bale was left on the bench again by Zidane this weekend, with the former Spurs man then jeered with his every touch after coming on during the 3-0 win over Athletic Club.
Asked about the whistles Zidane said: "I feel for him. I would like to have seen him score today."
Madrid fans whistled Bale on to the pitch but gave a stirring round of applause to Spain midfielder Isco, who came on at the same time.
When asked about the awkward moment, Zidane added: "No I do not [understand it]."
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