Washington: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has denied disrespecting Wales star Gareth Bale as he discussed the expected transfer of the 30-year-old forward from the La Liga giants on Monday.
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Speaking to reporters on the eve of Real Madrid’s friendly with Arsenal at FedEx Field – home of the NFL’s Washington Redskins – Zidane said it was Bale who chose not to play in Madrid’s 3-1 friendly defeat to Bayern in Houston on Saturday.
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“I did not disrespect anyone, least of all Gareth,” a frustrated-sounding Zidane said. “I said that the club is working to facilitate Bale’s departure, nothing more.
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“The other day, Gareth did not dress for the game, he did not want to because the club was negotiating his departure,” he added.
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Zidane had been branded a “disgrace” by Bale’s agent for his comments after the Saturday match, when he said he hoped Bale’s move from the club happened soon “for everyone’s sake.”
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“He shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid,” agent Jonathan Barnett fumed.
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Bale has been frozen out in Madrid by Zidane despite helping his side to a Spanish title and four Champions Leagues since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur six year ago.
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His brace, including a brilliant bicycle kick, sank Liverpool in the 2018 final, but he was shunted aside by Zidane as soon as he returned to the Real bench in early March.
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After Zidane’s reappointment, Bale played 90 minutes in just three of the remaining 11 matches, was left out completely four times and frequently substituted when he did play.
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“There will be no makeshift deals to get him out of the club,” Barnett told Sky Sports television on Tuesday.
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“Gareth is one of the best players on the planet. I can guarantee you he will not be going on loan to any club.” Bale has won four Champions League titles since joining Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for a then world record transfer fee of 100 million euros ($111.79 million) but struggled to hold down a starting spot last season.
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The interest of European clubs in a permanent deal for Bale is likely to depend on his willingness to accept a salary cut.
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Chinese Super League clubs Jiangsu Suning and Beijing Guoan have been linked to the player in media reports.
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“If something comes along that suits us then things could change and he could be gone in a day or a week. Or he could still be a Real player in three years when his contract ends.”
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