The agent of former Real Madrid and Tottenham attacker Gareth Bale has dismissed the report that his client might make a shock return from retirement and sign for Wrexham.
Rumours have been spreading in recent weeks of Bale making a sensational return to professional football with Welsh minnows Wrexham.
The League Two side’s fans had been hopeful that the move would happen after the five-time Champions League winner exchanged pleasantries with Wrexham’s co-owner Rob McElhenney on social media last month.
Rob McElhenney and Bale discussed playing a potential round of golf together before the former suggested that he would try and persuade the Welshman to sign for his club, which just gained promotion to the third tier of English football.
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However, Bale’s agent has come out to dash the hopes of many Wrexham fans, describing the rumours as ‘tongue in cheek’.
When asked by Sky Sports (via Sportsmail) whether the rumours had been serious, Jonathan Barnett, who represents Bale, replied: “I don’t think so. He’s flattered by the offers, but they’ve all been tongue-in-cheek.
“He’s having a great life at the moment, and it’s well deserved. He’s been the best British footballer, probably ever.”
When quizzed about the exchange between Bale and Wrexham’s owners, Barnett replied: “They haven’t actually spoken to me; they may have spoken to Gareth. But Gareth doesn’t want to play football anymore.
“He’s had a great career, he enjoyed himself, but he’s living a great life now. He’s with his family, which is the most important thing.
“He’s spending a lot of time with his children, and that’s what he wants to do. He’ll obviously do other things later down the line.”
Bale announced his retirement from football at the start of the calendar year, despite having only signed for Major League Soccer side LAFC a few months prior.
