Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is reportedly closing in on a move to Chinese Super League outfit Jiangsu Suning, according to Matt Law of The Telegraph. If the move comes to fruition, Bale would see his £600,00 a week wages in Madrid rise to an eye-watering £1 million a week. It wouldn’t quite be enough to pip Lionel Messi’s status as the highest-paid player in the world, as the Argentine earns roughly £1.7 million a week at Barcelona.
Gareth Bale Close to Chinese Super League Move With Jiangsu Suning
Not the Only Interested Party
Jiangsu were not the only Chinese side to register an interest in the Wales international. Beijing Guoan also made enquiries and there was also reported interest from clubs in Europe such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and former club Tottenham Hotspur. However, it soon became clear that none of those sides would have been able to reach his wage demands, and the money-pit of Chinese football looked to be the only way to get out of Madrid.
No Desire to Leave
Getting out, though, was not exactly in Bale’s plans. The former Spurs man was more than happy to stay at Madrid, but manager Zinedine Zidane had made it abundantly clear that he wanted Bale out.
After a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich, Zidane said: “He wasn’t included in the squad because the club is working on his departure and that’s why he didn’t play.
“We’ll have to see what happens in the coming days. We’ll have to see if it goes through tomorrow, if it does then all the better. Let’s hope, for everyone’s sake, that it happens soon. The club is dealing with the club that he’ll move to.”
If the move is completed, Bale will leave the club having won the Champions League four times and La Liga once, making him the most successful British footballing export ever.
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