Beijing Guoan to offer Madrid outcast Gareth Bale deal to become highest-paid player in Chinese football history
BEIJING GUOAN are reportedly set to offer Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale a deal to become the highest-paid player in Chinese football history.
Zinedine Zidane has confirmed the Welshman is "close to leaving" the Bernabeu after he was left out of the club's pre-season defeat to Bayern Munich.
This prompted the winger's agent Jonathan Barnett to hit out at the Frenchman after the comments, labelling the Los Blancos coach a "disgrace".
Bayern and Manchester United have both been rumoured to be interested, but Bale may now be tempted by a move to the Far East, according to .
Beijing Guoan are one of the few who might be able to match or better the 30-year-old's £600,000-a-week Real wages.
Ezequiel Lavezzi is currently the highest-paid player in China, with Argentine star commanding a £500k fee at Hebei China Fortune.
Chinese Super League clubs have until their transfer window shuts on July 31 to sign players, meaning Guoan have less than 10 days to pull off a deal.
Roger Schmidt's side are estimated to be among the wealthiest clubs in China and have also made enquiries over Chelsea winger Willian.
ZIDANE NOT A FAN
Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 for a world-record £86million and has won four Champions Leagues with the Spanish giants.
But after struggling to win over Zidane in the Frenchman's first spell in charge, the former Tottenham star felt the full wrath of the Madridistas last season as he could not find any kind of form.
The passionate fans were on his back again before a ball had been kicked this season as they shouted "desagradecido" - Spanish for ungrateful - at the Wales international as he returned for pre-season training.
Zidane's return to the club in March following Santiago Solari's sacking spelt bad news and he is clearly not wanted by Zidane.
The winger is understood to only want to leave Real Madrid for another top European side.
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Bayern Munich were tipped as the early favourites to sign Bale before the transfer window closes, while a return to the Premier League is another viable option.
United fans have called upon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make a swoop to land the winger while a romantic return to Tottenham has been suggested.
But Barnett laughed off claims Spurs were plotting a £55m bid to bring the winger back to the North London six years after he left for Madrid.
GARETH BALE - ODDS ON HIS NEXT CLUB
Odds according to *
Five favourites
11/10 - Any Chinese Super League club
3/1 - Bayern Munich
6/1 - Spurs
9/2 - Man Utd
14/1 - PSG