Gareth Bale’s agent reveals who has “complete control” over forward's Real Madrid future
The agent of Gareth Bale says that Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is in complete control of the club’s transfer dealings.
The Wales international’s future with the Spanish club is up in the air after Zidane dropped him for two matches, before leaving the forward on the bench for the final game of the campaign – a 2-0 defeat to Real Betis on Sunday.
"I have to look at the day to day and make decisions," the coach said after the game.
"And when there is something I do not like, or does not fit for me, I must do what I think best.
"It might be difficult for the player – we cannot forget all he has done here – but I must live in the present, think of the future. We will see [if Bale stays]. I don't know what will happen, truthfully."
Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett was asked to comment on Zidane’s words and told ESPN FC: "Fine, that's his opinion."
When asked if Real Madrid president Florentino Perez holds sway when it comes to the former Tottenham Hotspur winger's future, Barnett replied: "Zidane has complete control."
Bale, who has been linked with a Premier League return this summer with Manchester United or Spurs, has lifted 14 trophies during a six-year spell in the Spanish capital.
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Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.