Real Madrid: Gareth Bale and agent send SOS to MLS
The Real Madrid forward's appearance on The Hat-trick Podcast presented by the International Champions Cup gave a clue as to his potential career plans.
Gareth Bale's appearance on the inaugural edition of the The Hat-trick Podcast presented by the International Champions Cup was broadcast on Friday and the Real Madrid forward and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, were interviewed regarding the player's current situation at the Bernabéu and what his future plans may be.
Bale admitted he would be interested in a move to MLS at some stage in his career: "It's a league that is growing and continues to develop. There are many players who want to go there now and at some point it is definitely something that would interest me. Also, I love going to Los Angeles on vacation and play golf a lot when I'm there."
However, at one point during the chat show, hosted by ICC executive producer Charlie Stillitano, Chelsea head of communications Neil Barnett and US-based football commentator Ray Hudson, Bale suggested that his arrival in MLS may come earlier than expected.
Bale intends to see out Real Madrid contract
The Wales forward has consistently stated his desire, echoed by his agent, to remain at the Bernabéu until the end of his current contract in 2022 but he has rarely seen eye to eye with Zinedine Zidane and has fallen further out of favour this season due to the emergence of Vinicius and the summer arrival of Eden Hazard.
At 34:20 in the chat, Stillitano starts to say his goodbyes to Bale and adds: "I'm glad Joshua [Barnett] made it clear you're coming to MLS." At that point, Bale's agent Barnett jokes: "If anybody wants him, Charlie! Someone's go to want him first."
Stillitano replies that he "thinks there would be a few takers, Joshua" to which Bale chuckles and responds: [inaudible] it gets to happen is the big thing." Whether Barnett and Bale were teeing up a potential move to MLS or not is unclear but it is something that the Wales forward had said he would consider earlier in the interview, to a cry of "Miami" from the background, in allusion to David Beckham's Inter Miami franchise, which is due to play its debut campaign in 2020 and has previously been linked with Bale's teammate, James Rodríguez.
Bale was reportedly close to a move to China last summer with a deal in place at Jiangsu Suning, only for it to fall through due to financial issues according to the club's coach Cosmin Olaroiu.