Gareth Bale transfer out of Real Madrid: Five possible clubs he could join including Man Utd, Arsenal and Spurs
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GARETH BALE looks on course to leave Real Madrid imminently.
The Welshman, 30, could be out of the Bernabeu exit door within '24 to 48 hours' revealed Zinedine Zidane.
He blasted: "We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team.
"I have nothing personal against him, but there comes a time where things are done because they must be done.
"I have to make decisions. We have to change.
"The exit is the coach's decision, and also of the player, who knows the situation.
"The situation will change, I do not know if in 24 or 48 hours, but it will - and it's a good thing for everyone."
Few clubs will be able to afford his wages - he currently earns around £600,000 per week - meaning a loan deal where Real continue to pay part of his wages could be one option.
After all, the winger still has three years left on his current contract at Los Blancos.
So, where could he end up?
CHINA
The bookies reckon a move to China is among the most likely options for Bale.
After all, it is there that he is most likely to get the same - if not more - wages.
Reports last week claimed one unnamed club offered the winger a staggering £1.2million per week to make the switch to the Far East.
Bale is understood to want to stay in Europe but if no club comes in with an offer acceptable to both Real Madrid and the player, he could be forced to give up his chance of winning meaningful silverware to rake in the cash in the Chinese Super League.
MANCHESTER UNITED
It is no secret that Manchester United have wanted to sign Bale for many years.
The Red Devils were keen when he moved to Madrid in 2013 and have been linked with him every summer since.
He still has plenty of talent and, aged 30, still has a few years left in the tank, even with his torrid injury record - hence why fans are begging Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make an early move.
And if Zidane is still determined to land Paul Pogba, using Bale as a makeweight in the deal could make perfect sense.
But as we know, a big-money move for a winger who has played in North London and Spain does not always work out as expected.
TOTTENHAM
This is the one the romantics will want.
A star at White Hart Lane, sold for a world-record fee six years ago to go and win the Champions League four times, then returning to the new £1billion home for the first full season there.
Spurs fans would love Bale to return back to North London, there is no doubt about that.
Seeing him tearing it up and causing chaos in attack with Harry Kane are what dreams are made of for supporters still waiting to see their trophy drought ended.
Could the Welshman return to be the man to do that?
The huge stumbling block, though, is the money. Spurs broke their transfer record, paying £55m to bring Tanguy Ndombele in this summer.
And Bale's wages are simply too high. Unless Real Madrid loaned him and agreed to pay a significant portion or Bale took a drastic pay cut, it seems unfathomable that Spurs could afford to sign Bale.
BAYERN MUNICH
The German champions are the early favourites to land Bale before the transfer window closes.
It was against Bayern last night that Zidane left the Welshman out - with Niko Kovac's side winning 3-1 in Texas - then made the stinging comments.
Bayern have lost Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben this summer and while they have plenty of attacking talent in their ranks, the addition of Bale could propel them to challenge in Europe once again.
They are likely to have the financial capacity to get a deal across the line and would tick the box in terms of being a big enough club for Bale.
ARSENAL
Bear with us. Yes, Bale is still idolised by Spurs fans after his heroics at the Lane.
But... Gunners owner Stan Kroenke is set to meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez next week regarding a transfer for Dani Ceballos.
So while they are chatting, they could make a very cheeky approach to land the former Spurs man.
That would surely appease the Arsenal fans desperate to see their club splash the cash.
Remember, Premier League clubs have until August 8 - just 18 days - to bring in the players they want this summer.
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OTHER OPTIONS
A few other clubs have also been touted around.
Manchester City could afford him - probably - but are unlikely to make a move.
Paris Saint-Germain may turn to him, especially if they can get Neymar off the wage bill this summer.
Bookmakers are also taking bets on Bale to join one of David Beckham's other former clubs LA Galaxy and AC Milan.