GARETH BALE has been urged to snub a move away from Real Madrid and stay at the Bernabeu by team-mate Luka Modric.
The Welshman has been linked with a January switch to Manchester United following months of turbulence in the Spanish capital.
Bale has a frosty relationship with Real boss Zinedine Zidane and was set to leave for China last summer.
The 30-year-old, who scored in Wales’ 1-1 Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia on Sunday, admitted last week he remains emotional and angry amid further speculation over where he will end up when the transfer window opens in January.
But Modric said: “He is an amazing player and very important for the team.
He is showing that this season. Hopefully he will stay this season and the next seasons as well.”
Zidane publicly stated in the summer he wanted Bale to leave and the forward was ready to join Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning in an eye-watering £1million-a-week deal.
Bale has returned to the starting line-up this season and helped Real move top of La Liga, scoring twice in seven games.
Yet he was surprisingly left out of Zidane’s squad for the 2-2 Champions League draw with Club Brugge on October 1 and doubts over his club future resurfaced.
Bale channelled his Real frustration in the right way on international duty with Wales as Ryan Giggs’ men kept their Euro 2020 qualification dreams alive following two draws.
And the Dragons’ talisman showcased his class with a fine leveller – his 33rd goal for his country – against the Group E leaders.
Bale latched onto Ben Davies’ pass on the stroke of half-time, beat Dejan Lovren and slotted home to hand Giggs’ side a deserved point in Cardiff.
Both Bale and close pal Modric picked up knocks in the closing stages and could be doubts for Real’s trip to Mallorca on Saturday, while the Spanish giants face a must-win Euro tie away to Galatasaray next Tuesday.
Croatia captain Modric, 34, added: “I didn’t see Gareth afterwards because I was also injured. We will see if I am okay. I am hopeful he will be okay.
“He’s an important player for Real Madrid and hopefully it’s nothing and it is just cramps. We will see.”
Bale has won four Champions Leagues and Modric says do not write Real off in Europe despite Zidane’s troops picking up just one point from their opening two group games.
Modric said: “It’s still the beginning of the competition but we have a few more games left. We are good enough to overcome this bad start and qualify for the next round.”
