The truth is Gareth Bale doesn’t want to quit Real Madrid

The word is Gareth Bale moving to Manchester United is a done deal.

We’ve been told for weeks on end that Real Madrid will cash in on their fallen star this summer.

We’ve been told that the Madrid public has turned against him, that he’s gone off the boil, and that he hasn’t settled in Spain.

We’ve been told he doesn’t have the stomach to fight his way back into the famously impatient Bernabeu punters’ hearts.

And, most importantly, we’ve been told that United are waiting in the wings with an £80-million-plus offer, and that Real will definitely take it.

But when stories start to gather pace as quickly as this one has, crucial facts sometimes get left behind. That is exactly what has happened with this tale. And the thing that has been forgotten, the truth everyone has overlooked, is massive.

Gareth Bale DOES NOT WANT to leave Madrid and I know that for a fact.

Yes, he’s unhappy at being forced to play out wide.

Yes, he wants a central role and he wants it every week.

And yes, he blames the way he has been used this season for his perceived dip in form.

But he doesn’t want to walk away from his dream move. He wants to stay and turn it around. If he’s allowed any say in the matter, that’s exactly what he’ll try to do.

He’s not the type to give up at the first sign of trouble. He’s the type to dig in and play his way out of it. That’s why Manchester United want him, of course. But it’s also why United will face competition for his signature.

I do believe Old Trafford is his most-likely destination should he be forced out by Real. Yet, there could be a random factor at play. One that could scupper United’s hopes of landing Gareth and in the worst possible way.

Carlo Ancelotti looks like he could be headed for the Real exit sooner rather than later. With Manuel Pellegrini’s position at Manchester City far from secure, it’s not impossible that Ancelotti could take over.

If that happens, United will have reason to be very concerned indeed.

But in the meantime, everybody needs to cool it because Bale isn’t pushing for anything.