Gareth Bale’s agent has confirmed that Tottenham have no contract or clause that will allow them to automatically keep Real Madrid on loan for a second season.
Bale will instead return to Madrid before the new season and all future deals with Spurs or any other club must be renegotiated from the ground up.
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Bale wanted to make sure he would fit Wales in Euro 2020 / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Bale was warmly welcomed by Spurs fans last fall as a lost family member returning home. He endured a slow start as he struggled with early injuries and fitness, but a strong end to the season saw him finish with an impressive 11 Premier League goals in just 20 games.
The 31-year-old was therefore in good physical condition when it came to representing Wales at Euro 2020, which was considered an important motivating factor in securing a move away from Real Madrid so that he could be match-sharp for the tournament.
But while Spurs fans may want Bale for a new season, new Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has spoken positively that he could possibly get a place for him in Madrid.
In the case of Agent Jonathan Barnett, each additional loan agreement or possible transfer must be a new set of negotiations.
“As I have said from the beginning, there is no alternative. Gareth has no agreements at all. He is under contract with Real, Barnett tells Evening Standard.
Barnett previously described it as “junk reporting” when rumors began circulating towards the end of last season that Bale was considering retiring in 2022 or earlier. His contract with Real is up to 2022, when he is expected to move on unless there is a drastic change.
Bale is still under contract with Real Madrid until 2022 / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Meanwhile, Bale himself refused to answer questions about his international future after Wales were knocked out of Euro 2020 by Denmark and ended his post-match interview immediately when the subject was raised and angered.
But the 31-year-old later made it clear that he intends to continue playing for Wales for as long as his career generally lasts. He specifically mentioned the current World Cup qualifier, which, if Wales reach the final, would mean that he will play until at least the end of the 2022/23 season.
“I want to keep playing. People ask stupid questions all the time, but of course I love playing for Wales. I play for Wales until the day I stop playing football, he told S4C.
“We have just started the World Cup campaign and we have to take this experience into it. I feel we have a very good way to play when we play well and we have to keep that confidence high, keep playing football and I think we can qualify for the next World Cup. ”
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