War of words between Zidane and Bale grows ever deeper

MADRID - The conflict between Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and striker Gareth Bale has grown even deeper after Zidane accused the striker of not wanting to play in his side's first game of the season.

Bale took no part in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and after the game Zidane responded to questions about his absence, saying the Welshman's departure from the club would be "best for everyone."

That drew an angry response from Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett, who said that Zidane's comments were "a disgrace" and Real Madrid were not showing Bale the respect he deserved.

Speaking to the press in Washington DC ahead of his side's next warmup game against Arsenal, Zidane insisted he has not shown a lack of respect for Bale, who he then accused of not wanting to play in Sunday's defeat.

"The other day he didn't get changed for the game because he didn't want to," said Zidane, before adding that the club was "trying to find a way out for him. For now, Gareth is a Real Madrid player, he's going to train normally with us and we will see what happens on Tuesday."

Bale has been linked with interest from Chinese clubs Jiangsu Suning and Beijing Guoan and also with Paris Saint Germain as part of a swap deal to bring Neymar to Real Madrid.

However, his wages, which are thought to be in the region of half a million dollars a week, are a major problem and despite his problems with the language, Bale and his family are known to be happy with life in the Spanish capital.