Bayern Munich have approached Real Madrid over a potential loan move for outcast Gareth Bale, according to reports.
Despite being under contract at the Bernabeu until 2022, the Welsh winger is free to leave the Spanish giants this summer following Zinedine Zidane's return to the club.
Bale made 42 appearances in all competitions last season but found his game-time increasingly limited and did not feature in the final three matches of Real's La Liga campaign.
And the 29-year-old is expected to drop further down the team's pecking order next season, following the arrival of Eden Hazard from Chelsea in a deal that could reach £130 million.
Madrid are looking to offload the Welshman in the upcoming weeks but have, so far, struggled to find clubs willing to pursue a transfer for the former Tottenham man.
But The Sun reports that German champions Bayern are willing to match Bale's massive wages, believed to be around £350,000-a-week, in order to take the player on loan for a season.
The Bundesliga outfit are in need of wide players after losing both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery this summer.
And according to the publication, manager Niko Kovac views Bale as the perfect player to add experience to his squad in that area of the pitch.
With Bale's game-time in Spain expected to be reduced even further next season, a loan spell in Germany would present a good opportunity for the player to rediscover some form.
And Bayern already have some experience taking players on loan from Madrid, with James Rodriguez recently completing a two-year stay at the Allianz Arena.
Although the removal of Bale's salary from the wage bill would be a welcome sight for Real, the Spanish giants would ideally like to receive a transfer fee for the player who cost them £85m in 2013.
In addition to Hazard, Los Blancos have already spent big on several targets this summer, including Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao and Rodrygo, and the club need to sell players in order to ensure that they don't fall foul of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.
Premier League sides including Manchester United and Spurs have been linked a move for the Welsh winger, but are thought to be reluctant to match his wages.
Alongside Bale, it is believed that Madrid view selling midfield duo Rodriguez and Mateo Kovacic as their best chance to raise significant funds.
