Newly-promoted Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on the situation of Gareth Bale, who will leave Real Madrid as a free agent this summer.
According to BBC Sport, Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale has emerged as a possible target for newly-promoted Premier League club Nottingham Forest, with manager Steve Cooper considering a Bosman swoop for the Welsh ace.
Bale’s time at Real Madrid will come to an end this month as his contract expires on June 30, following which he will depart the Spanish capital club as a free agent. The 32-year-old has had an up-and-down nine-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu since joining the club back in the summer of 2013 from Tottenham Hotspur.
While Bale was an integral part of the success that Real Madrid achieved in the early parts of his tenure at the club, the Welsh wing-wizard has seen his stature decline in recent years due to fitness issues and a fallout with former manager and club legend Zinedine Zidane. The return of Carlo Ancelotti last summer failed to reinvigorate his career in the 2021/22 campaign as he featured barely during the season.
Now that his contract is expiring, Bale will bid goodbye to Real Madrid, having already confirmed his impending departure as a free agent. With Wales set to take part in the FIFA World Cup later this year, the 32-year-old is keen on playing at a high level to stay in top condition for the showpiece event in Qatar.
Despite his lack of game-time in the last season, Bale is attracting interest from clubs in Britain and Spain, while there are teams in the MLS that are keen as well.
Recent reports have also indicated that the Wales international has been offered to AS Roma, where he could reunite with Jose Mourinho, having worked with him during his loan stint at Tottenham in 2020/21.
And now a new club has emerged as a possible destination for Bale in the form of Nottingham Forest. The Reds are back in the Premier League after defeating Huddersfield Town in the EFL Championship playoffs. And manager Steve Cooper is keen on adding proven Premier League players to his squad to ensure they do not get relegated.
It has led to links with Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, while manager Steve Cooper is keeping an eye on his compatriot Bale’s situation. While the attacker was on enormous wages at Real Madrid, he could be willing to take a pay cut to secure a move this summer. However, a move to Nottingham Forest does seem unlikely at this point.