Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur could make a move for Gareth Bale in the summer after his future at Real Madrid remains uncertain.
The 29-year-old Welsh winger made his way straight down the tunnel following his side's 2-0 defeat to Real Betis on Sunday, adding more fuel to the fire when it comes to him being at Los Blancos next season.
Both Manchester United and Spurs have been linked with the Madrid star, but it would seem that they could snap him up on a free.
Well, that's according to the Times' Duncan Castles, who said that Madrid would allow him to leave on a free transfer should another club be willing to pick up his wage bill.
The reigning Champions League holders are splashing out a whopping £13m a year on Bale's salary, and with Madrid preparing for a massive overhaul in the summer, the Wales international's departure would help to free up wages at the Spanish club.
In fact, former Madrid president Ramón Calderón has claimed that it would be "impossible" for the former Spurs ace to remain at the club.
"Zidane is not keen on him; it is a relationship that will come to an end," he told BBC Sport.
"It seems it was his last game for Real Madrid.
"Zidane, last year when he left, he thought it was imperative to keep [Cristiano] Ronaldo and to sell Bale and they decided not to do that.
"It seems it is impossible for him to be here... because of the coach and the relationship with the fans. They think he is not committed and that is a problem.
"The best thing for him is to move. He should take the opportunity if there is one."
While Peter Crouch recently suggested that Bale should choose a move to Spurs over the Red Devils, Calderón added that the problem with him returning to his former club would boil down to his salary.
"Maybe he will go on loan. It is a problem when the coach and player do not get along, you have to look at every option to find a solution," he explained.
"The problem is the salary -- it is a high salary. He has not been lucky at Madrid since the beginning. Fans thought for the money he would be better than Cristiano and that was really impossible.
"It is a divorce that is difficult to solve. They will find a loan or a transfer for perhaps a low amount of money."
Which club should sign Bale in the summer?
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