Cardiff City are escalating their efforts to pull off the dubious signing of Wales captain Gareth Bale.
Bale, 32, is available on a free transfer having quit Real Madrid after 9 years, during which he triumphed 5 Champions League titles.
On Sunday, his diverted free-kick secured Wales’ 1-0 victory over Ukraine and a place at the World Cup in Qatar.
A return to Tottenham or a move to a Major League Soccer club in the United States have also been put forward as possible options as Bale looks to round off his starry career.
However, Championship club Cardiff are also in the queue.
Cardiff are seen as an option as Bale’s primary consideration is to dominate Wales in their first World Cup for 64 years.
Nevertheless, Cardiff are looking afar Qatar in November and December. They anticipate that offering Bale the chance to lead them back into the Premier League will be a crucial factor behind him signing an agreement even beyond the 2022-23 season.
Financially, Cardiff are at odds. At Real, Bale pocketed £600,000 per week, which is more than the weekly wage bill of Cardiff’s first-team squad.
But Bale is reckoned to be open to taking a significant pay cut, whilst the move would have massive marketing appeal for the club.
Ahead of the Ukraine match, Bale stated he was only focusing on the World Cup play-off final but, asked about his club choices, he smiled and said he had ‘loads’.
