Gareth Bale’s Tottenham return ‘not a done deal’, reveals Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid boss insists he ‘never had a problem’ with Wales star
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has claimed Gareth Bale’s return to former club Tottenham Hotspur is ‘not a done deal’, and has refuted claims he is leaving their Bernabeu due to their apparent feud.
Bale arrived at Spurs’ training ground on Friday to complete a loan move back to the north London club, with news of the transfer expected this weekend.
Zidane didn’t deny the transfer is happening, but claimed it’s not as far down the line as reports have suggested.
He did, however, insist he ‘never had a problem’ with the Welshman, despite widespread reports of their falling out in the Spanish capital.
Bale left Spurs for Real Madrid in a then world record £85million deal in 2013, and went on to win four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, three UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups, and scored more than 100 goals.
But the 31-year-old has become a peripheral figure at the Bernabeu over the last few seasons, spending the majority of last season on the bench and making just 16 league appearances as Real were crowned LaLiga champions.
Zidane said he did not speak to Bale before he left for London on Friday morning.
But when asked if the forward is leaving due to their rumours rift, the manager said on Saturday: “It's not like that.
“It's more complicated. With Bale it's always about one side against the other. But I've never had a problem with Gareth.
“There will always be things that happen. Now he's making a change, all we can do is wish him the best...
“These things happen in football, but I've always said he was a spectacular player.
“I know what he has done for this club. He always proved his quality and what he has achieved with the club cannot be argued with.”
Spurs are set to complete a double signing from Real, with full-back Sergio Reguilon also expected to join Bale in north London in the coming days.
The 23-year-old Spain international played last season on loan at Sevilla, winning the Europa League, and Zidane wished him well as he prepares to move to the Premier League.
“We have two players for each position - no more,” said the boss.
“I have two left-backs and I can't have more because then it's a lot. It makes things more complicated we can just wish Reguilon all the best.”