Bale to Cardiff could be on as Madrid star's agent addresses transfer rumour

Hopes of the talismanic Wales international signing for the Bluebirds have escalated as the Championship side became favourites to sign the Real Madrid winger.

Bale will be on the hunt for a new club this summer when his lucrative Real Madrid contract ends, bringing his nine-year spell at the Bernabeu to an acrimonious end.

Speaking back in April as rumours about Bale's future circulated, Cardiff City manager Steve Morison was adamant there was no substance to any story suggesting the La Liga champion was going to sign for his side.

"Until someone rings me and actually says that is an option - it's not something I will worry about." the ex-Millwall player said.

Now, though, Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has refused to rule out the possibility of the star actually moving back to play for his hometown team.

While adamant there were no talks with Cardiff, he did say that Bale's next move will be based on where he wants to be at this stage in his career - not the pay packet - which will fill Cardiff fans with hope.

"What Gareth does next is not about money," Bale's agent revealed to Wales Online. "It will be solely about what he wants to do at this stage of his career, where he wants to be."

When asked specifically about the Championship side, Barnett said: "We'll look and see in due course [about Cardiff]. But I repeat there are no options on the table at the moment.

"Cardiff has a lot of plusses. He's from Wales, his family are from there. From a personal point of view it could appeal.

"But I emphasise this is me talking, my views, not Gareth's. I have not discussed it with him."

The 32-year-old has a big year ahead given Wales could still qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

And it looks as though the possibility of him representing his country whilst also playing for the Bluebirds remains alive for now.