A consortium led by Gareth Bale has submitted a £40million bid to buy Welsh side Cardiff City, according to a report.
Bale has been in the market to buy a club, having been linked with a move to try and take over Plymouth Argyle – but that will not materialise.
Current Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has expressed his desire to sell the club, and is open to selling to Bale. According to The Times, a bid has now been submitted, with Bale backed by US investors.
The Wales legend spoke publicly for the first time about his bid to take over the League One club — as part of a consortium — at the European premiere of F1: The Movie in London at the end of June.
Bale, 35, retired from football two years ago after a stellar career in which he won five Champions Leagues with Real Madrid and 111 caps for his country. Now, he is ready to go into ownership.
It is thought, however, that the bid will be rejected – though could well be completed soon.
Gareth Bale, pictured with wife Emma Rhys-Jones, has reportedly tabled a £40million offer to buy Cardiff City
Wales legend Bale has made his intentions clear to buy his hometown club and is backed by a US consortium
Current owner Vincent Tan has admitted he would be open to selling to Bale if the price is right
‘We are interested in getting Cardiff,’ Bale said last month. ‘It’s my home club, it’s where I grew up and my uncle [Chris Pike] used to play for them. To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true.
‘It’s a club close to my heart. It’s where I grew up and I would love to be able to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs.
‘I know how amazing the Welsh fans and Cardiff fans are. It would be amazing to try and do something together.’
‘We are trying to engage with Cardiff and more news will come out on that in the future but hopefully we can get something done.’
A bid has already been rejected and the latest offer of £40m is set to be too – though both parties are open to a deal being agreed.
Bale’s interest in Cardiff comes just two months after his former Real Madrid and Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric was announced as a co-owner of Welsh rivals Swansea.
Bale himself had previously been linked with a potential investment in Plymouth Argyle but that now appears to have been ruled out.
Cardiff, who were last season relegated to League One for the first time since 2003, have just appointed Brian Barry-Murphy as their new head coach.
Cardiff are in League One for the first time in 20 years following their relegation last season
Bale’s bid is set to be rejected but it is hoped that an agreement can be reached soon
Barry-Murphy has been hired after a disastrous season which saw them cycle through Erol Bulut, Omer Riza, and Aaron Ramsey (interim) as managers.
Divisive owner Tan, who became the majority owner in 2010 and has invested more than £200m into the club, reiterated his desire to stick around at the start of the year.
Tan, who resides in Malaysia, wrote a statement on the club’s website after relegation for the first time since their promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
‘We hear your words and I share your hurt and frustration,’ he wrote. ‘Not all decisions when it comes to the First Team have worked as I had hoped for us.
‘To lose our place in the Championship is upsetting. The important thing is that we regain it at the earliest opportunity and I would like to take this chance to tell you that I am committed to getting us back.’
