Gareth Bale Could Play In The Championship Next Season - One Crucial Factor Will Decide It

Gareth Bale could sign with a Championship club on a short-term deal if Wales qualify for this year's World Cup in Qatar.

Wales face Austria in a massive play-off semi-final in March and will then battle either Scotland or Ukraine for a place in this winter's finals.

Bale's Real Madrid contract is up in the summer and it's been widely reported he'll retire should Wales be knocked out of the play-offs.

Sky Sports have claimed the 32-year-old is desperate to play at the tournament and would sign for Cardiff City or Swansea City in the summer.

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Kavel Solhekol explained: "I think if Wales qualify for the World Cup then he's going to be without a club in the summer because his contract is set to expire at Real Madrid.

"So what I think he will then do is try to sign a short-term contract with a club back in the Premier League or the Championship.

"I actually think it is more likely that it could be a club in Wales in the Championship that he signs a short-term contract with.

"And if Wales don't qualify for the World Cup I think there is a very good chance that Bale will just retire from football when his contract runs out in the summer because he feels he's achieved everything he set out to achieve in the game and if he's not going to be able to play in the World Cup with Wales then he'll retire."

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Wales haven't played at a World Cup since 1958 and the chance to do so for Bale, who is passionate about his country, is too good to turn down.

Bale started his career with Southampton in the Championship before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007.

He started out as a left-back before transforming into one of the world's best wingers.

Madrid came calling in 2013 and paid a then-world record £86 million fee to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite winning four Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles, Bale has never been accepted by the 'Los Blancos' fanbase.

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He formed a sensational front three with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo but clashed with supporters over his perceived lack of passion when it came to the club.

Bale spent last season back on loan at Spurs, helping them to the Carabao Cup final.

This campaign, he's played just three games in Spain and scored once.

Topics: Gareth Bale, Wales, Real Madrid

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_