Zidane honest when asked about Spurs, Man Utd target Bale

Zinedine Zidane has dismissed suggestions that Gareth Bale is unhappy at Real Madrid and wants to leave this summer.

The Welshman was a then world-record acquisition from Tottenham when he moved to the Bernabeu in 2013 but almost five years later questions are being asked about his future in Spain.

His former club Tottenham and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have been linked with a possible move for Bale, whose injury troubles have seen his game time restricted over the past 18 months.

Zidane, who himself was once the world’s most expensive player when he moved in 2001 to Madrid from Juventus, scotched talk of Bale being disenchanted.

“Bale is not a sad player at Real Madrid,” the head coach said when asked if the player wanted to leave. “Everyone can have their opinion, but I believe he is here and happy to be at this club.

“He has shown he is an important player in this team.”

Bale has made 28 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, scoring 11 times.