Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale‘s representatives have failed to reach an agreement with Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, according to reports.
The Welshman looks set to depart Real Madrid this summer after manager Zinedine Zidane publicly stated his desire for Bale’s departure.
Reports in China, via Oriental Sports Daily, emerging on Wednesday, however, declare that the Bale party could not put terms in place with Suning or any other Chinese club, and will not be moving to the cash-rich league as a result.
The report notes that any potential move for Bale “fizzled out” due to a “massive gap in salary expectations”.
Speculation had mounted claiming Bale had agreed a £1million-a-week deal with Suning, with fuel quickly added to the fire after the Chinese club then followed the forward on their social media accounts.
Local media now, however, claim Suning will be signing two new foreign players this summer, who are set to be announced imminently, but Bale will not be one of them.
The Welshman finally returned to Madrid action on Tuesday night after being handed an opportunity during the pre-season clash with Arsenal in the United States.
Bale put in a convincing performance and got among the goals in the 2-2 draw, but went on to miss the opening penalty during the shootout, in which Madrid took victory.
Following the fixture Zinedine Zidane offered some slight praise for Bale’s efforts, but admitted nothing had altered his stance despite an injury to Marco Asensio.
Zidane said, “He has played a good game and I am happy for him. He is here with us and we will continue working.”