Bale considering Cardiff move

Gareth Bale's representatives said on Wednesday they have held talks with Cardiff City over a potential move to the Championship club after the Wales captain's departure from Real Madrid.

Bale has been strongly linked with a free transfer to his hometown team following the end of his nine-year spell in Madrid.

The 32-year-old forward, once the world's most expensive player, is reported to be considering the pros and cons of joining the Bluebirds before playing for Wales at the World Cup in Qatar in November.

His representatives confirmed to BBC Sport Wales that they are in negotiations with Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman.

Bale, a five-time Champions League winner, has several options on the table, with Major League Soccer teams, his former club Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United all mooted as possible destinations.

But he fueled speculation that he might prefer Cardiff by saying the level of soccer he plays before the World Cup will not be a determining factor.

Speaking while on international duty with Wales last week, Bale said: "I don't really know if the standard makes too much of a difference. A football game is a football game.

"I need time to think what's the best move for me, my family, my kids, and hopefully we'll sort that over the summer. I have options."

Bale, who has family in Cardiff, earned around 600,000 pounds ($736,000) per week at Madrid and would have to take a significant wage cut to sign for Steve Morison's side.

But Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, said in a recent interview that "what Gareth does next is not about money".

The sight of Bale at Cardiff's training ground on Wednesday led some fans to claim he was about to complete the switch to the club, which finished 18th in the most recent Championship campaign.

But Cardiff shares the facilities with the Football Association of Wales' medical staff and it is understood Bale was there to have physio treatment.

AFP