Gareth Bale's agent has rubbished claims from Spanish side Getafe they have been in talks about signing the Wales star.
Getafe president Angel Torres had earlier told Spanish media he had been offered the chance within the last hour to sign Bale on a free transfer now he is out of contract. The suggestion had been Bale may be keen to remain in Madrid, where he has lived and raised his children over the past nine years.
Cardiff City fans are desperate for a deal to be done to bring the Welshman to his hometown club in what would be a stunning coup, and the Getafe claims had slighted dented optimism amid reports up to 10 teams are chasing him. But the Bluebirds remain the bookies' favourites, and one of Bale's agents, Joshua Barnett (son of Jonathan Barnett), has reportedly moved to rule out a Getafe move.
Respected football journalists Fabrizio Romano and Guillem Balague have said Barnett laughed off the rumours on Wednesday evening, saying: "I don’t even have the president of Getafe’s number!" It comes after he had previously suggested Bale's next move is likely to be to the UK and that money will not be a factor in his decision-making.
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Getafe's Torres had told radio journalist Alberto Fernández: “45 minutes ago I spoke with Gareth Bale's representative. They have offered it to us. We have to consider and study it with the Getafe coaching staff and sports management.”
Bale is currently away on international duty with Wales, having helped his side to a first World Cup appearance in 64 years.
It remains to be seen how much of a role he'll play in the upcoming trio of Nations League fixtures, which kick off with a home clash against the Netherlands at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday night. You can follow that live here now.
Wales boss Rob Page admits Bale's focus is now likely to be on the upcoming finals in Qatar, and says the skipper will need to choose his next club carefully.
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"He understands what he needs to do. Gareth's problems in the past have been when he's not playing week in, week out," Page said.
"There was the Belarus game when he was undercooked coming into camp and ended up getting a little tweak in his calf, so he understands he needs to play. That will be his plan. I'm not lying when I say I haven't got a clue what he's doing. I haven't had that conversation yet. I will do, but I haven't up until now. It's up to him and his family to decide what's best for him to get him in the right frame of mind for November.
"It's going to be as simple as that. It might even be as short term as that. He's worked ever so hard throughout his career. He's the ultimate professional and he's earned the right to lead our country at a World Cup.
"Whatever he does from now until then is really important for him to get himself in the very best physical condition."
