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Football

25th Jan 2018

Gareth Bale rejects Bayern Munich transfer, preferring a return to the Premier League

He wants to return to the Premier League

Reuben Pinder

He fancies a move back to Spurs, apparently.

Gareth Bale is likely to leave Real Madrid this summer after five years at the club.

According to Spanish newspaper Diario GolBayern Munich have made an approach to sign Bale, which Madrid president Florentino Perez found very appealing.

The bid was reportedly in the region of £86m, which would see Madrid recoup approximately the entire fee they paid for the Welshman and Bayern smash their record transfer fee; currently €41.5m after they signed Corentin Tolisso from Lyon last summer.

With Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry both in their 30s now, it would be a logical signing for the German champions as they look to rejuvenate their attack.

Bale, however, is not keen on the move. If he has to leave Madrid, the 28-year-old would prefer a return to the Premier League and has his heart set on a move back to his ‘home’, Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in signing the player, although with the arrival of Alexis Sánchez at Old Trafford, it’s likely that United will prioritise other positions on the pitch.

Bale has performed well at Madrid since he joined Los Blancos in 2013, scoring 76 goals in 167 appearances, predominantly from the right wing. However, a recurring calf injury has limited his playing time, and Madrid are keen to get him off the wage bill before bringing in a younger replacement.