As the future of Gareth Bale remains unclear, Zinedine Zidane has revealed that the Welshman fate will be decided at the end of the season.
The Real Madrid manager has revealed Bale will play a key part in the final 10 games of the season, but refused to give any assurances beyond that.
A four-time Champions League winner at the Bernabeu, the Wales international has never managed to win the support of the fans in Madrid.
Injuries have largely disrupted his Los Blancos career but, when called upon, Bale has delivered on the biggest stages.
Despite this, speculation about his poor relationship with his teammates has tainted his time in the Spanish capital.
And World Cup-winner Zidane refused to rule out a move away in the summer.
“Gareth is an important member of the squad,” Zidane said, ahead of Sunday’s league match against Huesca.
“We know what he has done here, even in Champions League finals.
“Nobody can take away what he has done. We know he can bring a lot to the team, and we will count on him.
“We are going to play these 10 games [the last 10 of the season], and then we will see. That does not mean that, afterwards, there will be changes.”
Manchester United have been linked with Bale even before his move to Madrid in 2013 and a summer move may well be on the cards.
And former side Tottenham Hotspur have also been reportedly exploring the possibility of securing a return for the 29-year-old.
Bale left Spurs five-and-a-half-years ago in a world record £86million move.