Gareth Bale will sign a short-term contract up until the World Cup if Wales win their play-off final game on Sunday amid increasing links of a sensational move to his hometown club Cardiff City, according to reports.
The Wales captain, 32, officially announced on Wednesday he is leaving Real Madrid after nine years in the Spanish capital, penning a heartfelt farewell to the club in a classy farewell message on social media. Now, of course, the focus shifts to his next move and where he will end up.
Well, according to Sky Sports, it all hinges on Sunday's World Cup play-off final showdown against either Scotland or Ukraine ( full match details here ), who on Wednesday battle it out for a spot in that fixture at Cardiff City Stadium. If Rob Page's side qualify, it is claimed he will sign a short-term deal, potentially with a Championship club in south Wales, until the Qatar World Cup.
Read more: Gareth Bale says it was 'an honour' to play for Real Madrid in emotional farewell message
"[His next move] could depend on what happens with Wales," reporter Dharmesh Sheth said on Sky Sports News. "On Sunday, Wales have that World Cup play-off final against either Scotland or Ukraine. The winner of that match will go to the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
"Now if Wales do make that World Cup, the information we are getting is that Gareth Bale will sign a short-term deal with a club, even a Championship club, some have even suggested a club in the Championship in south Wales. That leaves two and it's well-known he was a boyhood Cardiff City fan.
"However, if Wales were not to make the World Cup then there is a possibly that, at 32, Gareth Bale could call it a day and retire from football. But as we speak his focus is with the red shirt and that World Cup play-off final on Sunday."
Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has previously told WalesOnline a move to Cardiff has "a lot of plusses". Cardiff are the bookmakers' favourites when it comes to his next club, with Tottenham, the MLS and others at slightly longer odds on the list.
Bluebirds fan favourite and Bale's former team-mate with Wales Rob Earnshaw, however, is less optimistic about his old pal moving to the Welsh capital this summer. "I would love to see him at Cardiff, but there is probably zero chance," he said on Sky Sports. "I cannot see him playing for Cardiff, I can't see him there.
"Also, he's too good. He's still genuinely a Premier League player who can contribute to your team and I think he will want to win the biggest titles. I can't see him at Cardiff.
"I can see two places, really. I can see him coming to the Premier League, I think there is a high possibility of him coming to the Premier League. Who? I don't know. He is always going to be linked with Tottenham, he loves the club. Obviously slightly different to a couple of years ago when he was there. I can also see him going to America as well. I can also see him there. I can tell him all the good golf spots as well!"
It comes after former Cardiff City and Wales midfielder Joe Ledley told WalesOnline that while Bale is clearly still of Premier League quality, there may be other off-field factors which could mean signing for the Bluebirds would make perfect sense.
