Welshman Gareth Bale could end up signing a new contract at Real Madrid by the end of this week after the club opened contract renewal talks with the winger according to a report by Spanish sport magazine, Marca. Contract talks with Bale had reportedly been on the cards since March 2016.
Real Madrid are facing the threat of a transfer embargo and are taking action to ensure they do not lose their star winger as they might be forced to sell one of Isco, James Rodriguez or Jese to raise funds.
In what would be a major blow to those clubs who were hoping to sign Bale in the summer, he is expected to sign a deal till 2021 and worth an additional €63,000 a week increase to his current weekly wage.
Also read: Bale clears air about problems with Cristiano Ronaldo
Bale had been given a central role in the team under Spanish boss Rafa Benitez. The Welshman was devastated at his sacking, raising fears of his long-term future at the club. These fears were erased when Bale scored a hat-trick in his first game under the management of Zidane. He has since insisted that he is happy under the French manager.
Britain’s most expensive football export, Bale has managed to cement his place in the Real Madrid first eleven this season. He has performed when the team have needed him most and most recently filled in for Ronaldo’s absence by shouldering Real Madrid’s goalscoring burden.
The Welshman has often come under criticism from the Spanish press for not living up to his tag as the most expensive footballer of all time. This season, he has not given his critics a chance as he has scored crucial goals for Real Madrid. Most notably against Real Sociedad where he came to Madrid’s rescue once again scoring a late headed goal that kept them in contention for the La Liga title.
Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo wants Zinedine Zidane to stay on as Real Madrid coach
Bale has scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 22 La Liga appearances this season. He surpassed Gary Lineker’s goal scoring record for British footballers in Spain when he scored his sixteenth of the season against Sevilla. He has also surpassed the goal tally of Michael Owen and David Beckham in Spain.
Real Madrid are one point behind leaders Barcelona in the race for La Liga and are in the semi-finals of the Champions League where they face Manchester City.
