Gareth Bale transfer news: Agent Jonathan Barnett labels Zinedine Zidane ‘a disgrace’ over Real Madrid exit
Bale is close to a Madrid exit after Zidane left him out of his squad for the pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich, with the club in talks to sell the Wales international this week
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Your support makes all the difference.Gareth Bale’s agent has called Zinedine Zidane “a disgrace” after the Real Madrid manager openly discussed the Wales international’s imminent departure from the club.
Zidane left Bale out of his squad that faced Bayern Munich overnight in the United States, and admitted after the match that the reason for his omission is due to “the club working on his departure”.
Zidane refused to name the club that is in talks to sign Bale, but he did reveal that he hopes the deal goes through as soon as possible because the forward is not part of his plans this season, adding that it could be completed as early as Monday.
But in response to the revealing comments, Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has launched a verbal attack on Zidane to criticise him for discussing the 30-year-old’s situation and making a thinly-veiled attempt to force Bale out of the club.
"Zidane is a disgrace to speak like that about someone who has done so much for Real,” Barnett told ESPN.
"If and when Gareth goes it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing."
The Independent revealed last week that Madrid president Florentino Perez had suggested to Zidane to bring Bale back into the squad as their summer transfer plans were being hampered by the inability to sell him.
But after Zidane made it clear that Bale is not going to play any part in his plans for the season ahead, the club have pressed on with negotiating his departure.
The Frenchman also said he hopes a deal for Bale can be struck soon "for everyone's sake".
Zidane, whose side were beaten 3-1 by Bayern, said in quotes reported on his club's official website: "He wasn't included in the squad because the club is working on his departure and that's why he didn't play.
"We'll have to see what happens in the coming days. We'll have to see if it goes through tomorrow, if it does then all the better. Let's hope, for everyone's sake, that it happens soon. The club is dealing with the club that he'll move to."
Bale joined Real for a then world-record £86m from Tottenham in 2013 and, despite being hit by a series of injuries, has helped the Spanish powerhouses win four Champions League titles, La Liga and a host of other trophies.
However, his future at the Bernabeu has been the source of plenty of speculation in recent times, with the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Bayern and Inter Milan among the clubs having been linked with his services.
Zidane did not reveal where Bale's possible destination might be but said: "The situation will change and it's for the best for everyone."
The Frenchman also insisted he has "nothing against" Bale, who has not always been an automatic starter under Zidane at Real.
Zidane added: "It's nothing personal. There comes a time when things are done because they need to be done.
"I've not got anything against him. We have to make decisions and change things, that's all there is to it. You're aware of the situation and there'll be a change to it. I don't know if this will happen in 24 or 48 hours' time.
"The situation will change and it's for the best for everyone. That's how things go.
"I speak with the club, we've got decisions to make and it's a decision that's been made by the coach and the player. Let's see how things play out."
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