For Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid chapter is over after nine years. Since the once most expensive footballer in the world has qualified for the World Cup in Qatar with Wales, he has to keep fit. Possibly not far from where he lives.
According to club president Ángel Torres, superstar Gareth Bale has been offered to Getafe FC as a player for the coming season. The Wales international’s contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of June. “People may think it’s a joke, but 45, 50 minutes ago I spoke to his representative and they offered it to us,” Torres said at a presentation of the new kit.
The 32-year-old Bale, who secured the last European ticket for the World Cup in Qatar with Wales last week by beating Ukraine (1-0) in the play-offs, apparently wants to stay in Madrid. Getafe is a suburb of the Spanish capital. He once switched to Real as the most expensive player in the world and won 19 titles there in nine years – including the Champions League five times. His relationship with the club and the fans had deteriorated over the past few years.
Torres said they would talk to coach Quique Sánchez Flores: “Anything is possible.” Bale’s management team has denied the Getafe president’s statements, according to the AP news agency.