Bale suggests ‘playing standard doesn’t matter’ as he leaves door open for Cardiff move

Jason Soutar
Gareth Bale celebrates his goal

Gareth Bale has hinted that he would be open to a sensational move to Championship side Cardiff City.

Born in Cardiff, the 32-year-old is available on a free transfer this summer upon the expiry of his Real Madrid contract.

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Bale has never shied away from the fact he is prioritising this winter’s World Cup as he searches for a new club.

Speaking after the Dragons secured qualification to Qatar, Wales boss Rob Page emphasised how important it is that Bale’s next club gives him special treatment in preparation for the tournament.

And prior to Wales’ Nations League game against the Netherlands on Tuesday, Bale was asked about the possibility of joining Cardiff.

“I can’t really say,” he told reporters (via Metro).

“I haven’t really thought too much about that at the moment. It’s something I need to sit down and go through, not just with my family but with the manager here, the physios here that we use, to see what would give me the best chance of being fit come November and December.

“It’s going to be massively important. I need to make sure I’m playing games and I’m as fit as possible.

“For example, coming into this camp now I wasn’t fit at all, I didn’t have much game time at all. Sometimes I’m able to get away with it, but ideally, I want to be going into a World Cup playing games and being as fit as possible and being able to be as effective as I can for as long as I can.”

Bale kept the door open for a move to the Bluebirds, however, insisting that the standard of the league he will play in doesn’t make “too much of a difference”.

“I know possible destinations,” he added. “I don’t really know if the standard makes too much of a difference, to be honest. Football games are football games. I feel like I’ll never really lose my quality on the ball, so I guess it’s a conversation to be had.

“I’ve been available for quite a lot of the games in Spain. Sometimes you just don’t get picked so people assume that you’re injured; it’s just that perception.

“People think I play a lot of golf, but I actually don’t; people think I’m injured a lot but I’m actually not.”

Cardiff City Gareth Bale

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