MX23RW : Sunday, May 12 01:18:35| >> :120:5151:5151:

Gareth Bale 'to be handed key role at Real Madrid'

New Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly assures Manchester United target Gareth Bale that he is a major part of his plans for the upcoming season.

New Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has reportedly assured Gareth Bale that he is a major part of his plans next season.

Bale had been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer due to a lack of first-team football under Zinedine Zidane last term, with long-time admirers Manchester United interested in taking him to Old Trafford.

The Wales international poured doubt over his own future following his match-winning cameo in the Champions League final in May, suggesting that he would seek pastures new if he was not guaranteed a more substantial role in the team.

However, the Daily Mail reports that Bale has been given the reassurances he was after during showdown talks with Lopetegui, and is now happy to stay at the club.

The 29-year-old is expected to be given the chance to take centre stage following the departure of record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus in a deal worth almost £100m earlier this month.

United had reportedly been willing to significantly improve Bale's wages and offer almost £85m for the winger, although the player's preferred choice was always to stay in the Spanish capital.

ID:331347: cacheID:331347:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2685:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Toni Kroos in action for Real Madrid at the Champions League final on May 26, 2018
Read Next:
Mourinho 'insists on signing Toni Kroos'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
2Arsenal36265588286083
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!