Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane reportedly wants to sell Gareth Bale – with a swap deal involving Chelsea’s Eden Hazard a firm possibility.
Zidane returned to the Bernabeu earlier this week, replacing Santiago Solari in the managerial hotseat.
The Frenchman quit Real last summer after club president Florentino Perez refused to revamp the squad.
However, Perez has reversed his decision now Zidane has returned – promising him he can spend big this summer.
Zidane will have a £300m war chest to spend, with Chelsea star Hazard and PSG’s Neymar topping his wishlist.
And according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, Zidane is prepared to sell Bale to free up even more funds – although the former Tottenham man has no intention of leaving the club anytime soon.
He said: “So, to get the best out of Bale, Zidane is going to have to put an arm around his shoulder.
“But the first option will be to try and sell him.
“But it won’t be easy because he earns about €12million net and Real Madrid will probably want around €75million to sell.
“He’s going to be 30 in July, so Manchester United may think twice about putting that kind of money in the direction of Real Madrid and Bale.
“But he will also have to show that he is in love with the game again enough to improve and challenge himself and get to the level we know he can be.”
Real have already signed Porto defender Eder Militao, who will join the club when the transfer window reopens this summer.
Bale was on target as Zidane began his second reign as Real boss with a 2-0 victory over Celta Vigo.