5 reasons this could be Gareth Bale's last season at Real Madrid

Recent goals have eased some of the pressure on Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, but his future at the club remains as vulnerable as ever. Criticism from the media remains as stinging as ever, while fans of Los Blancos continue to remain unconvinced.

Here are the reasons why the Welshman could be in his final season at the Bernabeu...

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#5 He still hasn’t truly settled

Gareth Bale still seems and feels like an outsider at Real Madrid

Bale has just passed the four-year mark at Real Madrid, and in truth, it feels like little has changed for the Welshman. Bale announced himself in Spanish football on his debut against Villarreal, coming on as a substitute to lash home a strike that promised to be the beginning of something very special.

It hasn’t quite transpired like that, however, and while Bale can point to a haul of three UEFA Champions League winners medals, a LaLiga triumph and a Copa del Rey victory that he was instrumental in, it is enough for many, but seemingly not, given his club is Real Madrid.

There is still the feeling of 'Bale the outsider' in Madrid, a player that has yet to grasp the language and who mixes with select groups of teammates to the point of something resembling friendship.

While there have been noises of him being more at one with the culture than previously, there is little strong evidence to suggest that is the case. Bale appears to be continuously on the outside looking in as the Spanish clique of players grows closer than ever.

A recent promotional event on Madrid’s famous Gran Via saw Bale targeted by fans, jeering that he doesn't speak Spanish. This inability to form a link with the fans has clearly left Bale uneasy, and it’s understandable why Madrid can’t truly be labelled ‘home’.

#4 The criticism in Madrid hasn’t wavered

Real Madrid fans still boo Gareth Bale

No matter what he does, it seems, Bale can’t truly silence the critics - be it fans or the media. Even in his better spells, there was a desire to see more from the former Spurs man, and criticism was levelled at him that he simply does not do enough on the field.

A pulsating mass of muscle and physical power, Bale is often derided as purely that and little else. He’s seen as another luxury on a team that already has one in Cristiano Ronaldo.

There isn’t room for two, and Bale must offer more to the team in the long-run. It’s a fair concern too, especially given Bale offers little input into the team game.

Often, he’s on the periphery of games and fails to associate well enough on and off the ball. His running remains strong, and at times decisive - see the goal at Anoeta recently - but overall questions remain over Bale’s IQ on the field.

#3 Manchester United will still be willing to pay up for Bale…but not for long

Jose Mourinho has expressed his desire to sign Bale several times

Bale’s interesting exchange with Jose Mourinho over the summer, in which the Portuguese joked he couldn’t sign the player because he wouldn’t speak with him, only added more fuel to the fire that he could still end up in Manchester one day.

United’s interest in the player goes a long way back, and most importantly their ultimately doomed offer for the player before he moved to Madrid is well known.

It seems like during most summers, United make their admiration for Bale known, and their intrigue into his status at Madrid is constant.

They know Bale isn’t entirely comfortable in his current situation and while the player wants to make a success of things in Madrid, there may come a point when he admits defeat, or at least that his time is up and the success he’s had while in Spain is enough.

United are embarking on a fresh project, spearheaded by Paul Pogba and other lavish signings, but there is always room for Bale. Mourinho is seeking more depth in wide areas, and above all, quality.

It might well be Bale can hit his best form with United too, away from the intense glare of Madrid’s media and back surrounded by home comforts in the UK.

It could be, however, that time is running out for a move to Manchester, especially given United’s activity in the transfer market with a view to bringing in more youthful players.

Bale would be a huge outlay for Manchester United, even given their vast resources, and a younger model with masses of future potential may make more financial sense.

#2 Real Madrid will look to buy a shiny new toy

Paulo Dybala has forced the world to sit up and take notice of his abilities

After missing out on Kylian Mbappe, it’s likely Real Madrid will now turn their attention to a raft of new stars. There are always young, interesting players out there and as the club shifts to that directive of young players with masses of potential, they still have that desire to land the hottest talent in the game.

Names mentioned of late are Timo Werner of RB Leipzig, a rapid forward player with a genuine eye for goal. Recently, and more intriguingly, there have been links to Paulo Dybala.

The Argentinean attacker has developed brilliantly at Juventus and his dominance in the Serie A suggest he may be ready for the step up in competitive action to complete his progress and assent to becoming a truly elite star.

Others will emerge too, as Real Madrid remain active in the transfer market and with revenue at an all-time high, plus the failure to sign of Mbappe, means they may be more primed than ever before to splash the cash.

#1 BBC is in its last moments

The trio have wreaked havoc for years

While the goals are still being plundered in by Cristiano Ronaldo, and Bale is in great physical shape, the contribution of Karim Benzema continues to pin up the team at times, prompting many to believe that the famous BBC is surely enjoying its final moments.

A new project embarked on at the club to bring in young, high-potential talent is padding the squad out at the moment but will grow more influential over the coming years. Already, the brilliant Marco Asensio is threatening to become a regular at the club, while signings continue to flow behind the scenes for some the world’s most exciting youngsters such as Vinícius Júnior.

The phasing out of BBC has already begun and with the likely signing of a star name this summer, after missing out on Kylian Mbappe, the future of the trio will only be cast further into doubt.

Bale is in BBC by name and has played a part in its success, but if anything, he might be the most vulnerable member given his overall status.