Gareth Bale transfer news: Manchester United favourites to sign Real Madrid star

Gareth Bale‘s trophy-laden but troubled career at Real Madrid appears to be reaching its end point.

The Welshman has won 13 trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu, including four Champions League titles, but never the hearts of the Madridistas.

In recent weeks Bale has been hung out to dry by teammates Marcelo (“he only speaks English”) and Thibaut Courtois (“he always plays golf”), suggesting he does not fit in with the rest of the squad, and he was then jeered by the club’s fans when substituted during Saturday’s El Clasico defeat to Barcelona.

Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett hit back, calling Madrid fans a “disgrace” and saying they should be “ashamed” of the way they have treated a player who has “won everything” with the club.

While a summer move seems almost inevitable at this juncture, Barnett also claimed no Premier League club could afford his client’s wages.

Man Utd lead race but Madrid stay favoured

Nevertheless, Premier League clubs remain the frontrunners to claim Bale’s signature, with Manchester United edging ahead as 7-2 favourites, following a reported flurry of bets backing a move.

“Spurs have been installed as favourites since the January transfer window shut, although are no longer in pole position to sign the Welshman,” Oddschecker spokesman George Elek told i.

“Bookies do, however, believe he won’t be budging from the Bernabéu, giving it a 58 per cent chance that he stays with the La Liga giants.”

Bale’s club at start of next season

Real Madrid: 8-11
Manchester United: 7-2
Tottenham: 6-1
Inter: 7-1
Chelsea: 10-1
Liverpool: 12-1
Bayern Munich: 16-1
Juventus: 16-1
PSG: 16-1

Odds via Oddschecker