“He has to improve, the defensive work has to be more efficient, but having to improve doesn’t mean leaving a club.”
Last week, Madrid club president Florentino Perez revealed: “Just as I can’t imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo, I can’t imagine Real without Bale either.”
“Bale is a key player. He has already done so much for the team and is a key part of our club’s future.
“Every club knows that Gareth Bale will never leave Real Madrid and that the club will not discuss their star, no matter how much is offered.”
Bale, who has four-and-a-half-years remaining on his current contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, has tallied nine goals and four assists in 22 appearances in all competitions for the European champions this season.
Neto set for Fiorentina exit
Fiorentina goalkeeper Norberto Neto will leave the Stadio Artemio Franchi at the end of the season after turning down a three-year deal to stay in Florence.
Neto, 25, has been linked with a host of top European clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Roma, in recent weeks, and will search for pastures new when his current contract in June.
“This situation has deeply hurt me on a human level and I’m left with a profound sense of bitterness,” Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle told his club’s official website.
“I’m well aware that these things often happen in football but I’m struggling to accept it.”
Odegaard to Madrid?
Norwegian whizkid Martin Odegaard is on the verge of completing a move to Real Madrid, Sky Sports understands.
The Norway international, 16, is arguably the hottest prospect in Europe at the moment, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid all keen on the highly-rated midfielder.
“Apparently he got my book about Lionel Messi and posted it on Twitter – saying Messi was his favourite player,” said Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. “Today that message is gone, which is interesting.
“I believe he will sign for Real Madrid and even though he is only 16, he is an international and he has more than enough training in his legs and brain to be a top star.”
At 16, Odegaard, who scored five goals for Strømsgodset in the Tippeligaen in 2014, has already won three international caps for Norway.
