Zidane dismisses 'Bale to Shanghai' rumors

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Real Madrid's Gareth Bale competes during a Spanish league match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 9, 2019. Atletico Madrid lose 1-3. (Xinhua/Edward F. Peters)

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane had to field several questions about Wales international striker Gareth Bale on Tuesday as he faced the press ahead of Wednesday's La Liga game at home to Leganes.

Bale will miss the game as he continues to recover from a calf injury, but was in the headlines again this week after making a visit to London and also revelations that he has asked the club not to publish its medical reports when he is injured.

Zidane defended Bale, saying he had a "good relationship" with the player. "He is a player that is here, that trains. If he is not available, he is not available."

"There is a lot of talk, but in the end the important thing is that when he is ready and 100 percent, we know what kind of player he is," the Frenchman said.

Zidane said Bale had "had permission from the club" to go to London and that there was "no story" attached to it. "It was a personal issue and he had permission from the club," Zidane insisted.

Tuesday's edition of Spanish sports paper Diario Marca had as its front page headline a story that Bale wants to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in January, but his current coach said he knew nothing about a possible move.

"He has never talked about wanting to leave. When he can train, he trains and when he can play, he plays and he has played a lot this year," said Zidane.

"An offer is not going to come, I don't think about that. He is a Real Madrid player. In January there will be talk, and then in June. I will count on him when he is ready to play. Everyone is happy with him," the former France midfielder concluded.

Bale came close to a move to another CSL club Jiangsu Suning last summer after Zidane said it would be "best for everyone" if he left Real.

But the deal fell through at the last minute due to a disagreement over the transfer fee. 

Despite Zidane's claim that he has a "good relationship" with Bale sources have told AFP the forward remains on bad terms with the Frenchman.

Bale was particularly unimpressed by his omission from Real's squad to face Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League earlier this month.

After the match, Zidane put his absence down to a fitness issue but those close to Bale insist he was fully fit.

"I spoke to him and I spoke to James (Rodriguez). Both of them weren't available to play against Brugge and they didn't play," said Zidane. "There's nothing else to say about that."

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