‘Ticks all the boxes’ – Wales boss thinks one transfer makes sense for Gareth Bale

Wales boss Robert Page has given his support to the idea of Gareth Bale joining Cardiff City this summer. 

Gareth Bale looks set to leave Real Madrid when his contract at the Spanish capital runs out this summer, nine years on from moving to Los Blancos from Spurs.

It was reported back in February that Bale could return to Tottenham for a third spell during the summer, following his loan move to the club last season (El Nacional).

The Evening Standard subsequently claimed the winger is not considering a return to North London and could instead hang up his boots at the end of the season should Wales not qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett said this week that he thinks his client is likely to return to English football this summer (Record 16/05/22 via The Mirror).

Page has now opined that a move to Cardiff would ‘make a lot of sense’ for the former Tottenham man.

The Wales boss told BBC Sport about the 32-year-old joining the Welsh club: “It ticks all the boxes.

“Ultimately, it’s Gareth’s decision and Cardiff City’s. And I think he’s right to say: ‘Let’s throw full focus on to the 5th’ [June, Wales’ World Cup play-off]. Let’s get there first and have that discussion.

“We can carry on talking about it and guess and have our opinion on it, and it does make sense. It makes a lot of sense. He can base himself at a training ground he’s familiar with.

“Ultimately, let’s see what happens on the 5th and I’ll probably be the first one after the game to ask the question.

“If he was playing for Cardiff and we had qualified for the World Cup I wouldn’t change my thoughts or respect for Gareth whatsoever.

“He would definitely be a part of the World Cup squad anyway. As long as he is out playing football – that’s the most important thing for us.”

Page also reiterated that, should Wales qualify for the World Cup, Bale needs to be playing football heading into the tournament to keep himself match fit.

He added: “When he turned up in March, he wasn’t playing but he had four, five, six weeks training under his belt so he had that stamina inside him to give himself the best chance.

“There is nothing like playing games. He won’t be match-sharp but he was still able to put a free-kick into the top corner and score two goals in a big game for us.

“He will absolutely need to be part of a club and training, even if he is not playing, at that tempo with other players every day.”

Spurs Web Opinion

My gut feeling is that Bale will probably end up signing for an MLS club or potentially a Chinese Super League club if Wales do qualify for the World Cup. If the Dragons fall short, I would not be surprised if the 32-year-old decides to hang up his boots.

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