Gareth Bale will make a decision on his future in the coming weeks based upon where he wants to play, rather than money.
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett says the Wales captain is already 'probably the richest British footballer' in history after the mouthwatering deals struck for him over a nine-year spell with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
In an interview with WalesOnline, Barnett said Bale wasn't even thinking about what happens next until the outcome of Wales' key World Cup play-off showdown with either Scotland or the Ukraine is known.
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But Barnett did stress money wouldn't be a factor for Bale any more, although he joked: "It is for me as his agent!"
Barnett revealed: "What Gareth does next is not about money. It will be solely about what he wants to do at this stage of his career, where he wants to be."
That, of course, could be music to the ears of Cardiff City fans, with the Bluebirds red-hot favourites at the bookies to be Bale's next club in what would be the most sensational transfer in Welsh football history.
In fact, there is growing speculation in the Welsh capital that Bale will either retire or play for his home-town club, pending on whether Wales qualify for the World Cup or not. Barnett was at pains to stress 'there are no options on the table at the moment' and emphasised he has not discussed the matter yet with Bale.
"We will sit down and go through everything after the Wales matches in June. Gareth wants to focus on what happens with Wales first," said Barnett.
"He will then make a decision about the future once he knows exactly where Wales are at. There will always be speculation from others, but it's not necessarily informed.
"His massive ambition is to lead Wales into the World Cup, he's already done pretty much everything else. The people of Wales will know how much that means to him, he's probably a national treasure to them."
Bale's reputed take-home pay at Real Madrid is £350,000 a week and clearly Cardiff couldn't come remotely near to matching that figure. Tottenham and Newcastle United have also been linked with swoops for the Wales superstar and could put much higher salaries on the table than the Bluebirds are able to.
But Barnett pointed out: "Finance will not come into this. He's already extremely wealthy. Gareth is probably the richest footballer Britain has produced. In any case, no club on earth would be able to pay what he's on at the moment. Gareth realises that. Money is not important to him.
"It will be down to where he wants to play, a personal choice - but only after the Wales games are out of the way."
Asked specifically if Cardiff was a credible option for Bale, Barnett replied: "Who knows? We'll look and see in due course. But I repeat there are no options on the table at the moment.
"Cardiff has a lot of plusses. He's from Wales, his family are from there. From a personal point of view it could appeal. But I emphasise this is me talking, my views, not Gareth's. I have not discussed it with him."
Whatever happens, Bale will leave Real Madrid with his head held high after the coming games with Cadiz (La Liga finale) and Liverpool (Champions League final), although Barnett points out any suggestion otherwise is 'somewhat stupid.'
Recent headlines have been about some Real fans booing Bale and ongoing criticism in the Spanish media, with one journalist even labelling him 'a parasite'.
But Barnett responded: "He's achieved more than most, he's had a great career out there. He's loved Madrid as a city, loves the club.
"He doesn't have to answer to stupid people. He's fine, doesn't read that rubbish written about him by a nobody. The fact people don't even know who said that sums it up for me. If it comes from nothing, you treat it as nothing. I'm angry about it, but Gareth just carries on looking to do his best for the club."
Asked to give Bale a mark out of 10 for his nine-year spell with perhaps the world's biggest club, Barnett said unhesitatingly: "I'd give him nine. The only thing that's worked against him at times has been his body, with injury lay-offs.
"But in 10-15 years' time people in Madrid will look back and see what a truly great player Gareth was for Real Madrid. Everyone in Wales already knows that, but they will in Madrid too."
Bale has won four Champions Leagues with Real, playing a key role in at least three of them, and still hopes for a glittering swansong in this year's final against Liverpool at the end of the month.
