Staying in Spain was the right decision says the Real Madrid boss in a bid to quash speculation fuelled by Wales star’s meeting with agent in London

Zinedine Zidane has insisted Gareth Bale is happy at Real Madrid and had the club’s permission to visit London on Monday.

Wales international Bale travelled to the English capital two days before his club’s La Liga game against Leganes, which he will miss through injury.

The former Tottenham winger reportedly used the trip to meet with his agent, Jonathan Barnett, as rumours surrounding his future started to re-circulate.

Bale almost left Madrid for China in the close season amid suggestions of a strained relationship with Zidane, but the Frenchman claimed the pair are on good terms.

“It’s good to be asked this because a lot of things have been said,” Zidane told a news conference on Tuesday.

“I have to say we have a good relationship. He’s here with us, he trains well and works well when he’s available. He’s not available at the moment because he’s got an injury, that’s all.

“The problem is, there is a lot of talk about lots of different things. The important thing is that he’s ready when he’s 100 per cent.

“He’s a good player, you know what kind of player he is. At the moment he’s not available. You’re all trying to create something that isn’t there in our relationship.

“He had permission yesterday to go [to London]. It was a personal issue and he went. There’s nothing else to say. He went also because he’s not available to play.

“I don’t think he ever talks about leaving. When he’s available he trains and plays. He’s played a number of games.”

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham have been mentioned as possible destinations for Bale, along with Shanghai Shenhua.

Their Chinese Super League rivals, Jiangsu Suning, were believed to be in pole position before the transfer fell through in July.

“That was the situation at the time and at the end of the day he stayed. That was better for everyone,” Zidane said.

“It doesn’t help what’s said about him and the club. He’s an important player in this squad. It’s important for us that he plays and does well.

“The same thing (transfer speculation) will happen in January. If he says he’s going to stay, there will be more talk about the summer window. He’s happy here.”

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