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Gareth Bale is reportedly eager to buy Cardiff City as the leader of a consortium of investors.
The Welsh legend had an initial proposal rejected by owner Vincent Tan but retains a ‘strong interest’ in completing a takeover, according to The Athletic.
Bale, 35, was born in Cardiff and his father Chris Pike was a prolific striker at the club between 1989 and 1993.
It comes just weeks after his former Real Madrid and Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric bought a minority stake in rivals Swansea City for a reported £1million.
Bale hung up his boots in January 2023 just seven months after moving to LAFC, ending an illustrious career which saw him win five Champions Leagues, three LaLigas and three Club World Cups.
But he would have a task on his hands at Cardiff, who will play in League One for the first time since 2002-03 after finishing bottom of the Championship.
Brian Barry-Murphy has been hired as head coach after a disastrous season which saw them cycle through Erol Bulut, Omer Riza, and Aaron Ramsey (interim) as managers.
Divisive owner Tan, who became the majority owner in 2010, reiterated his desire to stick around at the start of the year.
Tan, who resides in Malaysia, wrote a statement on the club’s website after relegation for the first time since their promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
‘We hear your words and I share your hurt and frustration,’ he wrote.’
‘Not all decisions when it comes to the First Team have worked as I had hoped for us.
‘To lose our place in the Championship is upsetting. The important thing is that we regain it at the earliest opportunity and I would like to take this chance to tell you that I am committed to getting us back.’
Bale retired as Wales’ top goalscorer and the most capped player in Welsh history.
He forged his career in England, beginning as a left-back at Southampton before earning a move to Tottenham to 2007 for £5million.
After enduring a difficult start to life in north London, failing to win in his first 24 matches, Bale shot to stardom during his six years at White Hart Lane.
His breakthrough moment came against reigning Champions League holders Inter Milan, where the young Welshman scored a hat-trick at the San Siro during a 4-3 defeat.
He went on to become one of best players in the Premier League and became just the third person in history to be crowned PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the same season.
His performances in north London would later earn him a world record move to Real Madrid for £85.3 million.
In his first season at the club, Bale contributed 22 goals in all competitions as he helped Madrid lift their first Champions League title for over a decade.
The Welshman would go on to win four more of the trophy, making him one of the most decorated players of all time.
Also in his first season at Madrid, Bale scored an iconic goal in the Copa Del Rey final which saw him use blistering pace to run the length of the pitch to score.
His best moment in a Madrid shirt came years later, during the 2018 Champions League final. He scored two on the day – including a breathtaking bicycle kick – to earn his side the win.
Despite his heroics on the pitch for Madrid, there were mixed feelings about his efforts at the Santiago Bernabeu and that saw him get loaned out in 2020.
Bale made a sensational return to Tottenham Hotspur eight years after leaving the club and posted an impressive return of 16 goals in 34 appearances.
Despite this, it wasn’t enough to revitalise his career in Spain and, just six months ago, the forward completed a move to MLS side Los Angeles FC.
More to follow.
