Gareth Bale knows his next ‘possible destinations’

The Wales captain addressed speculation linking him with a move to Championship side Cardiff City.

Gareth Bale says he knows his ‘possible destinations’ in an honest and frank admission about his next club move.

The 32-year-old winger will leave Real Madrid at the end of his contract in the summer transfer window. Reports have linked him with several clubs, including hometown side Cardiff City – who play in the Championship.

But while Bale and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, have already ruled out a move to La Liga club Getafe, the player has refused to say anything about a return to Wales or dismiss the prospect of plying his trade at a lower level for next season.

🗣 “Just a club that I’m going to play football.”

Gareth Bale outlines what he needs from his next club. 💪 pic.twitter.com/kccLcSkekV

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 10, 2022

Would Bale play at a lower level?

“I haven’t really thought too much about that,” Bale told reporters about dropping to a lower league.

“It’s something I guess I need to sit down and go through, not just with my family, but with the manager here [Rob Page], with the physios here that we use, to see what would give me the best chance of being fit come November and December [when the 2022 World Cup starts].

“I don’t really know if the standard makes too much of a difference. A football game is a football game. I feel like I’ll never really lose my quality on the ball. I guess it’s a conversation to be had.

“I haven’t really looked at everything yet. I know possible destinations but it’s something I need to sit down, first and foremost with my family, and then I need to speak with managers and physios and decide what’s best for myself.

“I don’t have a time scale. I need time to think about what’s the best move for me, my family, my kids and hopefully we’ll sort that over the summer. I have options.”

Asked if a move to Cardiff City is an option, Bale replied: “I can’t really say.”

Bale is currently preparing for Wales’ Nations League game against the Netherlands in Rotterdam on Tuesday. The Dragons go into the clash with just a point from three games in Group A4.