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New deal for Bale - Real star's Bernabeu career in pics

Sport360 staff 18:49 31/10/2016
Bale has penned a lucrative deal at the Bernabeu.

The Wales international put pen to paper on Monday on a deal which ties him to Real until June 30, 2022, which expires just before he turns 33.

Bale has been regularly linked with a big-money move back to England, with Manchester United reportedly leading the chase for his services, but the former Tottenham player only has eyes for Real.

Asked if he could envisage ending his top-flight career at the Bernabeu even if it meant not playing in the Premier League again, Bale told a press conference: “Yeah, for sure. The reason I signed here for so long is because I’m very happy here.

“I feel more comfortable every year that I’m here as well. I’m improving my Spanish, my family’s more settled. I fully intend to see out my contract here.

“Obviously in the future, I don’t know when I’m going to retire, but I’m very happy here at the moment and for the next six years I’m not looking past that really.”

United have long been linked with a move for Bale, even before the Welshman left Spurs to join Real in 2013 for a then-world record fee of £85.3million.

As recently as last month there was speculation of a possible attempt by the Red Devils to sign the flying forward, but Bale himself insists he knows nothing about any transfer talk.

He said: “I couldn’t tell you if anyone’s been interested. Since I’ve been here I’ve been fully concentrated on playing for Real Madrid.

“I’m very happy here which shows why I’ve signed another six-year deal and we never really speak about these things. If (United) have (shown an interest) they have, I don’t know about it. The main thing for me is to concentrate on my football and everything else is dealt with behind the scenes.”

Bale was also giving nothing away about the finances behind his new contract.

Media reports have suggested the 27-year-old will now be earning in the region of £18million a year – £350,000 per week after tax – and is in the top three best-paid players in the world, along with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

When asked about his wages on Monday, Bale simply said: “That’s for me to know and no-one else to find out, sorry.”

Bale left White Hart Lane without winning a major trophy with Spurs, but he has helped Real lift five pieces of silverware in three years, including the Champions League in 2014 and 2016.

He has also scored 62 goals and recorded 34 assists in 135 official games for the Spanish giants, forming part of the team’s much-vaunted ‘BBC’ strikeforce alongside Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Bale is now hoping for more of the same in the coming years after committing his future to the 11-time European champions.

He said: “Obviously I’m very very happy today. When I first came here I wanted so succeed here, wanted to win trophies here.

And sitting here now having renewed my contract is another dream come true and hopefully there’s more trophies and titles to win here again.

“It’s Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world I think. When an opportunity comes up to play for Real Madrid you don’t turn it down. I’ve loved every minute of it out here.

“I definitely made the best decision. It matches all my ambitions.”

Bale concedes it has not all been plain-sailing for him in Spain, with the former Southampton youngster having had to deal with injuries and criticism.

But he insists all that has helped him develop as a player and a person.

He said: “It’s been a difficult journey. It’s very difficult for British players to come over to any European club. I’ve had my difficult times and I’ve had good times. I think it’s all a learning curve.

“I’ve really grown up as a person and I’ve enjoyed every experience, whether it’s been good or bad.

“I feel happy here, I feel loved by the fans here and want to give everything for the shirt to win try and win as many trophies as I can.”

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