Gareth Bale 'makes Madrid transfer offer' as Wales star seeks new club

Gareth Bale's representatives have got in contact with Getafe and have offered his services to the Spanish club as he prepares to leave Real Madrid.

The Wales international is looking for a new club as he looks to remain fit in his bid to lead his country at Qatar this winter in the World Cup. There have been several teams linked with a move.

The 32-year-old is available on a free transfer after nine years in Spain where he won five Champions League titles. Having signed for Los Blancos for a then-world record fee worth £89million, Real are now happy to see the back of him after an injury-ravaged spell.

And Getafe have emerged as a surprise contender for his signature because Bale's family do not want to leave Madrid. Club president Angel Torres revealed that the player's agent Jonathan Barnett had got in contact to offer his services.

He told Onda Cero: "45 minutes ago I spoke with Gareth Bale's representative. They have offered it to us. We have to study it with the Getafe coaching staff and sports management.

"This morning I spoke with his representative and he explained to me that it was possible to do it. He wants to stay in Madrid and play in the World Cup. I have to give him a call back and talk to the coach. It depends 50 per cent on Bale and 50 per cent on me."

Getafe are situated just outside the Spanish capital but still in the Community of Madrid, one of the autonomous communities in the country. The Bernabeu is situated on the northern side, whereas the Coliseum Alfonso Perez is on the south.

A move to the Azulones would come as a shock to many in the United Kingdom, who had expected a return to these shores ahead of the World Cup this winter. Tottenham had ruled themselves out of contention but Southampton and Newcastle were also options.

Cardiff had been linked with the forward in an audacious swoop despite their financial trouble in the Championship and the fact that Bale earned £600,000-a-week at the Bernabeu. Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman had planned talks with Barnett but his efforts might have already been spurned.

Bale is expected to take a huge pay cut ahead of next season with his main ambition staying fit and not picking up any injuries that could rule him out of the Qatar World Cup. The competition is set to start in November - just four months after the season starts in August.

It was the Welshman's deflected free-kick against Ukraine that saw the Dragons clam a famous victory at the Cardiff City Stadium. It will see Wales take part in their first World Cup in 64 years.

Bale was ecstatic after the match, saying: "It's the greatest result in the history of Welsh football. We're going to a World Cup! Words can't describe how we feel at the moment.

"I'm just delighted we are going to a World Cup. It means everything, it's what dreams are made of. I'm speechless. I'm so glad we've done it for these amazing fans."