Real Madrid transfer news: Gareth Bale urged to remain at Bernabeu for years to come by Luka Modric

The Welsh forward scored in the 1-1 Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia

Luka Modric has pleaded with Gareth Bale to stay at Real Madrid after almost leaving the Bernabeu last summer.

The Wales international was close to moving to China, but has since worked his way back into Zinedine Zidane’s plans.

And Modric is hopeful Bale will stay for the foreseeable future due to his importance to Los Blancos.

“Of course. He is an amazing player and very important for the team,” Modric claimed.

“He is showing that this season. Hopefully he will stay this season and the next seasons as well. He’s an important player for Real Madrid.”

Both Modric and Bale picked up injuries in the Euro 2020 qualifier in Cardiff, which ended 1-1.

And the Croatian has played down fears over his own injury and hopes his teammate was merely suffering from cramp ahead of a trip to Mallorca this weekend.

Modric and Bale faced off in a Euro 2020 qualifier (Getty)

“I didn’t see Gareth afterwards because I was also injured. We will see if I am okay. I am hopeful he will be okay.

“He’s an important player for Real Madrid and hopefully it’s nothing and it is just cramps. We will see.”