Real Madrid are willing to dump Gareth Bale into their Under-23s if he fails to find a new club this summer, according to reports.
The Welshman has come in for plenty of criticism in the Spanish capital this term and has had a limited impact on proceedings since Zinedine Zidane's return to the Bernabeu.
Despite his struggles, Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett insists Wales' talisman wants to see out the remaining three years of his current contract with the La Liga giants.
Speaking earlier this week, Barnett told Sky Sports News: "He wants to stay.
"I am not sure that Mr Zidane wants him to stay but at the moment Gareth wants to stay.
"He has got a contract, he will quite happily see it out until 2022. He has been and is, in my opinion, one of the top three or four players in the world.
"This game is a game of opinions and Mr Zidane doesn't think that.
"That is his opinion, he is entitled to it, I won't criticise him."
But The Sun claim the Real Madrid hierarchy are furious with Barnett's comments, adding that they could freeze out Bale or even play him in the Under-23 side in the future if he fails to complete a move away from the Bernabeu.
Despite being 29 years of age, rules dictate that Under-23 sides are able to use a certain number of players aged above the bracket.
A source told their paper: "There are people who give nothing to the team’s soul and ethos.
"They will not remain here under Zidane. This summer will be one of the busiest in the club’s recent history."
The Welshman has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Spain, with Manchester United among those said to be interested in securing his services.
Former Red Devils boss David Moyes has repeatedly spoken of his desire to take the Welshman to Old Trafford during his ill-fated reign following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.
Bale has scored 14 times in 42 appearances in all competitions for Los Galacticos so far this season.
Following his side's final two La Liga matches of the campaign against Real Sociedad and Real Betis, Bale will turn his attention back to Wales ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifiers with Croatia and Hungary next month.
