Gareth Bale consortium in bid to buy Cardiff
The 35-year-old former Real Madrid and Wales forward was understood to be part of a consortium that had conversations regarding a takeover of Plymouth earlier this week, along with several other clubs, but it appears they have now turned their attention to south Wales.
The Athletic reports that the consortium sent current Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan a letter of intent last month, which included financial figures, but it was rejected.
Bale is seeking to be the latest big sporting name to be associated with an EFL club.
A general view of Cardiff City Stadium (Nigel French/PA)
His former Real team-mate Luka Modric became an investor in and co-owner of Championship side Swansea in April, while ex-NFL quarterback Tom Brady has a minority stake in Birmingham.
Cardiff declined to comment on Friday night.
Bale retired from football in January 2023 at the age of 33. He won five Champions League titles with Real and is the men's all-time record goalscorer for Wales with 41 in 111 caps.
He was linked with an emotional move to Cardiff, his hometown club, after leaving Madrid in 2022 but instead joined MLS side LAFC.
Bale featured for Wales at the 2022 World Cup – their first appearance at the global finals since 1958 – and at the Euros in 2016 and 2020.
Cardiff were relegated to League One last season and appointed Brian Barry-Murphy as their new manager this week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson issues lengthy public apology - 'I let you down'
Nicolas Jackson's position at Chelsea is under threat from Liam Delap, and his response to losing his place to the £30m new boy on his birthday was a shocker Nicolas Jackson has issued a public apology after his red card in the FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea hothead Jackson got his marching orders on his 24th BIRTHDAY just FOUR MINUTES after coming on as a substitute for a shocking X-rated challenge. Jackson entered the field with the score 1-1 in Chelsea's second game of the tournament, against Brazilian side Flamengo. By the time he left the field they were 2-1 down, before going on to lose 3-1 to the side coached by ex-Blues left-back Filipe Luis. After the match, Jackson wrote on instagram: 'I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. Another red card... and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. 'I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. 'I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry.' It compounded six minutes of second half madness for Chelsea as Flamengo turned the game on its head and went from 1-0 down to 2-1 up before Jackson got sent off. There was no excuse for his appalling studs-up challenge on Flamengo's Ayrton Lucas which in this competition gets an automatic one game ban which FIFA can review and upgrade. Frankly, they should throw the book at him and it is no wonder that Maresca signed Liam Delap because he cannot trust Jackson. Jackson has so much talent but his reckless temperament makes him a liability and suddenly, from winning their first game, the mood will change in the Chelsea camp. Defender Marc Cucurella revealed he apologised to the players in the dressing room post-game. The Spaniard said: "He's very sad. He tried to win the ball, had the bad luck that he kicked his leg and that's it. He's a young player with a lot of quality but maybe needs to improve a little bit in these things. 'But he has to learn. After the manager spoke, he said sorry, he didn't do it on purpose. He's a very important player for us, we will miss him in the next game but this is football.' Jon Obi Mikel, working for DAZN, was scathing in his assessment. He said: "Unbelievable, a stupid, stupid, stupid mistake. I don't know what was going through his head. Your team needs you and he does that!" "He did that at Newcastle in an important game. He got a red card. And now he's done this again. You can't keep making mistakes like this." Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN £0 DAZN Get DAZN here Product Description Asked whether Jackson could have been frustrated at losing his place to Delap, Mikel responded: "I don't care what his frustration is (Delap starting). This is a massive football club and it's about competition. "If you're angry or p****d off, then you have to embrace it. We need competition." DAZN presenter Kelly Somers apologised for the choice of language from Mikel. But going back to the incident later on, Mikel added: "Jackson needs to have a word with himself, where do you want to go with your Chelsea career?" Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
England women's star cleared of drugs charge ahead of Euro 2025 - 'I'm relieved'
England and Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has seen charges of drug possession dropped by Greater Manchester Police. Charges of drug possession against England goalkeeper Khiara Keating have been dropped by Greater Manchester Police. The Manchester City keeper, 20, was charged last June along with her mother, Nicola Keating, 48, with possession of cannisters of the Class C drug nitrous oxide. Both pleaded not guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court and were granted unconditional bail. The Crown Prosecution Service duly discontinued the case, Greater Manchester Police confirmed. Both women had been charged with possession of a Class C drug on 18 June last year following a police investigation. The pair appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court in July, where they denied the offence and were granted unconditional bail. At a second hearing in September, they reaffirmed their pleas, and a trial was scheduled for November 2025 but the case has now been dismissed. Keating, who is part of England's European Championship squad, said in a statement to the BBC: 'I'm relieved the charges have been dropped — as I've always said, I did nothing wrong. 'It's been a difficult time, but I've always known the truth. Now I'm just looking forward to focusing fully on the Euros and spending time with my family.' Nitrous oxide was made a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in November 2023. Possession with the intention of wrongfully inhaling it for a psychoactive effect became an offence. The gas can still be used for legitimate reasons, such as in catering or pain relief during labour. Keating will travel to the Euros as a back-up to England's new first-choice keeper Hannah Hampton. Keating has yet to make her senior England debut but was included in Sarina Wiegman's 23-player squad despite her lack of experience. She played just 12 times for City in last season's Women's Super League, conceding 18 goals and keeping four clean sheets. The previous year she became the youngest player to win the Women's Super League Golden Glove award, keeping nine clean sheets in 22 league appearances. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Inter's Acerbi threatens PSG fan over Champions League taunting
MIAMI, June 20 (Reuters) - Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi lost his cool after a Club World Cup fan wearing a Paris St Germain shirt in Seattle taunted him about last month's Champions League final, with the Italian threatening to beat him up if the teasing continued. The fan brought up a humiliating moment from Inter's 5-0 defeat by the French champions in Munich, in which Acerbi was left sprawling after some dazzling footwork by Bradley Barcola. On a video that went viral on social media, the visibly annoyed Italian international sought the help of a translator during a meet-and-greet with fans. The translator told the fan in English on Thursday: "You must be serious with him." Seconds later, Acerbi stepped in to say in Italian: 'I'm serious. Don't make fun of me — I don't like it. ... I'm crazy, I'll beat the crap out of you.' Acerbi then quickly moved on, posing for photos with other fans. Inter were not immediately available for comment. Inter take on the Urawa Red Diamonds in Group E on Saturday.
