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Following his match winning cameo against Liverpool that saw him win his fourth Champions League title in five years at the club, Gareth Bale’s post-match comments took many, including this writer, by surprise.
While he would undoubtedly have been disappointed not to have started the match, surely the joy of his decisive contribution would mask any earlier frustration at missing out on a place in the starting line-up.
Either way, Bale used his interviews afterwards to state his displeasure at being left out of the team by Zinedine Zidane and that he would be sitting down with his agent in the summer to discuss his next move.
Therefore, with his stock higher than ever, where will the Welsh wonder be plying his trade when the 2018/19 season kicks off?
#6 Real Madrid
The most likely scenario still remains Bale turning out in the white of Madrid at the start of the next season.
Although he hasn’t been a regular starter this season, he has still been an important member of the squad, with Bale often being the first man Zidane turns to when he needs to change a game, just as it was in Kyiv.
He also has a lucrative contract, thought to be worth about £300,000 a week with the club until 2021. Bale, however, seems to be one of the rare players in the modern game, whose wage packet is his secondary motivation. He wants to win trophies and play games. He knows that with his quality the finances will take care of themselves.
At 28 years of age, he is well into the peak of his career and he won’t want to spend those years as a bit part player, even at a club as big as Real Madrid.
#5 Paris Saint-Germain
One club who wouldn’t struggle to afford Bale would be the French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Dominant on the domestic scene, they have struggled to turn that dominance into success on the European stage, which is what the club’s owners truly crave.
With four titles in five years, Bale certainly has the know how to win the world’s biggest club football tournament and could be the final piece of the puzzle that takes them from potential to genuine contenders.
Much of this deal could hinge on whether Real Madrid decide to attempt a pursuit of Neymar.
If they do then Bale would be an obvious bargaining chip. Paris would be closer to home for Bale and the opportunity to test himself in another league would surely be one that he would relish.
#4 Manchester United
After a disappointing second season in charge, it is clear that Jose Mourinho’s squad will need another significant overhaul this summer.
Despite finishing second in the league, the squad is lacking genuine world class talent, with David De Gea their only player who you could really class in that bracket after another outstanding season.
Mourinho had clearly pinned much of his hopes on the signing of Alexis Sanchez from under the noses of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, but that move hasn’t worked out, with the Chilean looking a shadow of the player who impressed so much during spells with Arsenal, Barcelona and Udinese.
Bale won’t come cheap but United have the funds and with a number of players likely to be sold, the finances won’t be a problem but will Bale want to move to Old Trafford?
#3 Tottenham Hotspur
Another English option for Bale would be a return to Tottenham Hotspur, the club where he made his name.
Under the astute management of Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs have secured top three finishes in each of the last three seasons, while also reaching a League Cup final and two FA Cup semi-finals.
They will also move into their impressive new stadium at the beginning of next season, therefore everything about Tottenham suggests they are a club on the rise, but they are lacking one major ingredient: a trophy in the cabinet.
Despite having an impressive young squad and manager, Spurs have consistently fallen short when it matters most and are in danger of becoming English football’s nearly men.
With Bale’s experience, he could be the player that elevates Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Erikson from where they are to where Spurs want them to be: winning titles.
Pochettino would surely relish such a signing, but whether Spurs have the finances available for the transfer fee and wage demands would seemingly be the major stumbling block to any potential deal.
#2 Arsenal
In an interview in 2015, Bale admitted to supporting Arsenal as a youngster and could choose to relive his childhood dreams by joining the Emirates outfit this summer.
A signing of Bale’s stature would be one to get the fans excited and send a message that Arsenal want to be a threat at football’s top table once more.
Though, his affinity with Spurs and rumours of a relatively small transfer pot for Emery makes this summer move highly unlikely.
#1 Inter Milan
With the scene of Bale’s greatest performance (until last night) when he scored a hat-trick against Inter in a 4-1 victory in mind, there has been persistent talk linking him with a move to the San Siro since April.
Milan have suffered at the hands of Juventus, who have won the last seven league titles in a row and dominated proceedings in Italy. Inter need a player to strike fear into their rivals once more and Bale would fit the bill.
Most importantly, Inter will be back in the Champions League next season after a dramatic final day victory over Lazio and a move to Italy and the challenge of dethroning Juventus might appeal to Bale.
