Bale determined to "stick it out" at Madrid - Peter Crouch
“We share the same agent and, as far as I know, he is determined to stick it out in Spain," Peter Crouch has said.
Gareth Bale is determined to “stick it out” at Real Madrid and force his way back into the starting eleven, according to former Liverpool and current Burnley player, Peter Crouch, who shares the same agent as the Welshman.
Bale is expected to be offloaded this summer as coach Zinedine Zidane looks to remould his squad next season after a disappointing 2018-19 campaign. The Welsh striker has continued to struggle to make the team sheet since the French coach’s return in March and had been left out of the squad entirely for Madrid’s last two fixtures against Villarreal and Real Sociedad.
Many in the Spanish sporting press believe that his recall to the squad for Los Blancos’ final game of the season on Sunday against Real Betis is solely to give him a chance to say his farewells at the Bernabéu, where he has become the subject of animosity from a large section of the crowd for his perceived lack of effort and poor performances.
Bale happy in Spain
But writing in the Daily Mail this Saturday, former England international Crouch said he believed that Bale wants to stay in the Spanish capital and criticised Madrid for the "misuse" of his talent.
“Gareth Bale's position at Real Madrid continues to confuse me and the misuse of such a talented player is ridiculous,” wrote Crouch.
“We share the same agent and, as far as I know, he is determined to stick it out in Spain. He is happy living there and wants to force his way back into the team, regardless of the speculation that continues to follow him.”
Crouch on Bale’s possible return to Tottenham
The Burnley striker also commented that he would love to see Bale return to Tottenham, where he could reportedly end up on a £10million loan deal next season.
“It would make a lot of sense, however. Could you imagine his searing pace alongside Harry Kane? I think it would pay a lot of dividends,” he said.
Though Crouch claimed he could not see the loan deal happening due to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. “I know how Daniel Levy operates and that certainly wouldn't be the kind of deal he'd like to do!” he said.
“He keeps being linked to Manchester United but I just don't see that club suiting him at the minute," he added.
“When Gareth is fit and healthy, he is one of the most exciting players in the world. I hate seeing him sitting on the bench, without being appreciated. I'd love to see him back here reminding everyone just how good he is.”