Gareth Bale is set to use Manchester United’s training facility ahead of the international break. The Real Madrid winger has been included in Ryan Giggs’ 31-man squad for the upcoming fixtures against Trinidad & Tobago and Slovakia later this month.
Wales will be facing the former in an international friendly match at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground on March 20 and are set to prepare for the match with training at United’s Carrington training complex.
The Football Association of Wales are currently constructing a new National Football Development Centre in Wrexham, but it is not due to be finished until May, which means alternative facilities have had to be arranged.
It means Bale is set to train at the United training ground as speculation continues to mount surrounding his long-term future at Real Madrid following Zinedine Zidane’s return as first-team manager.
The 29-year-old has been a United target in the past and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is believed to be a big fan of his.
In fact, United even offered a higher transfer fee than Real Madrid for the signature of the Wales international when he departed Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013, but the player had his heart set on a move to the Spanish capital.
Even ahead of Zidane’s return to Real Madrid, fresh speculation had mounted over Bale’s future after he was booed by his own supporters earlier in the month.
Speaking after the incident his agent Jonathan Barnett publicly criticised Real’s supporters for their treatment of his client.
“This generation of Real fans will be talking about Gareth’s goals for years to come,” he said. “They should be ashamed of themselves. Those fans should be kissing his feet.”
Bale is unlikely to feature against Trindad & Tobago next Wednesday but will be expected to start the European Championship qualifier vs Slovakia on 24 March.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are considering a move to sign N’Golo Kante as well as Eden Hazard from Chelsea this summer. The Liga club, who reappointed Zinedine Zidane as coach yesterday 10 months after he resigned, have already been in touch with the Blues about their desire to buy Hazard at the end of the season.
But it is believed that Real are also keen on Kante as they look to rebuild their squad after a disappointing campaign.
Kante is regarded by many as the best defensive midfielder in the world, although he has been playing in a more advanced role under Stamford Bridge manager Maurizio Sarri this term.
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The French World Cup winner became Chelsea’s highest-paid player when he agreed a five-year contract worth £290,000-a-week in November.
Chelsea will be reluctant to sell Kante as he has become a vital member of their squad since joining from Leicester for £32million in 2016.
But after Real’s three-year reign as Champions League holders was ended by Ajax in humiliating fashion last week — plus their poor title challenge — the Spanish club are determined to bring in some fresh talent and Kante’s name is on their wishlist.
Of the two targets, Hazard will be easier to sign and it appears that the only issue now is whether the clubs can agree a fee.
Despite him being available on a free transfer in 2020, Chelsea will still demand in excess of £100m for the 28-year-old, who has given no indication that he wants to sign an extension to his contract at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgium international has admitted it is his dream to play for Real on numerous occasions and now his idol Zidane is back at the helm.