Gareth Bale 'lined up for shock takeover of League One club' - as ex-Real Madrid and Tottenham star follows former team-mate Luka Modric into ownership
Former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Gareth Bale is reportedly in talks to front a takeover of a League One side this summer.
Bale retired from football in January 2023 after captaining Wales at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The Welsh winger had Tottenham icon at two spells at the club, before enjoying a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid.
Bale earned three LaLiga titles and playing vital roles in five triumphs in the Champions League, as well as Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup successes.
Despite his success at Real Madrid, Bale had a fractured relationship with supporters on occasion, amid suggestions he prioritised Wales and golf above the club.
Bale, who ended his career at MLS side Los Angeles FC, could be set to return to the game as an owner of League One side Plymouth.
According to the Telegraph, Bale has been lined up by a US-based private equity group to front a takeover bid.
The group are claimed to be in talks over taking ownership of League One side and are looking to partner with Bale as they look to strike a deal.
Plymouth were relegated from the Championship on the final day of last season, despite a late rally as they attempted to avoid the drop.
The Pilgrims last week confirmed the appointment of Tom Cleverly as head coach ahead of the new season.
Plymouth owner Simon Hallett has been seeking new investment into the club, but confirmed last month a deal to sell a stake to US investors had collapsed.
Should a Bale-fronted takeover of the club succeed, the Welsh legend would be following his former Tottenham and Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric into ownership.
Modric was confirmed as a minority owner of Championship side Swansea City in April.
The Croatian star, whose legendary Real Madrid career concluded at the end of last season, is understood to have taken a small stake in the club.
Several well-known figures from football and outside the game have taken similar stakes in clubs in recent seasons.
NFL legend Tom Brady invested into Birmingham City, while actor Michael B Jordan and NFL star JJ Watt having stakes in Bournemouth and Burnley.
Gary Neville and David Beckham are owners of Salford City, while Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have overseen Wrexham's rise from the non-league to the Championship.
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