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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matt Maltby

Gareth Bale drops Real Madrid hint after missing out on big-money China transfer

Gareth Bale has modelled Real Madrid's new kit, just days after a proposed move to China fell through.

The Welshman was expected to join Jiangsu Suning on a three-year deal worth a reported £1million a week after Real boss Zinedine Zidane made it clear the forward was not part of his plans.

But it emerged on Sunday that the switch was off and Bale is now likely to stay at the Bernabeu.

The 30-year-old appeared to show his commitment to the Spanish giants by sharing a video and a picture of him wearing the club's green third strip for the new campaign on social media.

Bale, meanwhile, has not travelled with Real Madrid to a pre-season tournament in Germany after his proposed move to the Chinese club fell through.

Real will play Bale's former club Tottenham at the Audi Cup on Tuesday, with hosts Bayern Munich and Turkish side Fenerbahce also involved in the four-team tournament.

The Spanish giants said on the club website on Monday that Bale had not trained outside with the main group, working inside instead with injured team-mate Luka Jovic.

Real later announced their Germany-bound squad and Bale's name was missing from the 24-player list.

Real Madrid manager Zidane has made it clear he was not Bale's biggest fan and the player's injury record - he has made just 79 La Liga starts in the last four seasons - did not help his cause.

This month Zidane said Bale was "very close to leaving" and his exit would be "best for everyone" after omitting him from their pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich.

"He wasn't included in the squad because the club is working on his departure and that's why he didn't play," Zidane said. "Let's hope, for everyone's sake, that it happens soon. The club is dealing with the club that he'll move to.

Bale was hoping to wave goodbye to Madrid but is now set to stay in the Spanish capital (Getty Images)

"It's nothing personal. There comes a time when things are done because they need to be done. I've not got anything against him.

"We have to make decisions and change things, that's all there is to it. You're aware of the situation and there'll be a change to it.

"The situation will change and it's for the best for everyone. That's how things go. I speak with the club, we've got decisions to make and it's a decision that's been made by the coach and the player. Let's see how things play out."

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