It's happening....

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I'd be amazed if it isn't by far his primary focus, as it is THE WORLD CUP.

He's scored the winning goal in two different Champions League finals, scored in the shootout in a third, and has two more winning medals on top of that. He's won league titles, he's won cups, he's won world club cups.

He's done far more than he could have dreamed of in club football. The World Cup with Wales is the final frontier. How could playing a couple of seasons in the USA that he could still do at age 35, let alone age 33, be more exciting for him than that, very likely the only time he will play in a WC?

Feck me I could play in the MLS

[NYCBlue]

Feck me I could play in the MLS

There are few MLS teams that could make it in the Championship. Most of them are a decent League 1 standard.

[The Lone Gunman]

I'd be amazed if it isn't by far his primary focus, as it is THE WORLD CUP.

He's scored the winning goal in two different Champions League finals, scored in the shootout in a third, and has two more winning medals on top of that. He's won league titles, he's won cups, he's won world club cups.

He's done far more than he could have dreamed of in club football. The World Cup with Wales is the final frontier. How could playing a couple of seasons in the USA that he could still do at age 35, let alone age 33, be more exciting for him than that, very likely the only time he will play in a WC?

Yes, it’s the WORLD CUP! That must surely be his primary focus in life right now, right?

Gareth Bale still playing professional football at 35? Rightio….

Anyway, we’ll apparently see one way or the other in the next few days.

[lardy]

Yes, it’s the WORLD CUP! That must surely be his primary focus in life right now, right?

Gareth Bale still playing professional football at 35? Rightio….

Anyway, we’ll apparently see one way or the other in the next few days.

I've read plenty of player interviews where they've said representing their country at the World Cup is the highlight of their career. I haven't seen much from Bale over the years to imagine him saying anything different after he retires. So being a few months away from the World Cup, I would think it's his primary focus.

I said he could still play in the US at 35, he's quite capable of it, not that he definitely would still be playing then.

[Eric Cartman]

I'd imagine the club wants some level of commitment from him otherwise however cool it would be to see him pull on the shirt for a few games, it's just disruptive to whatever we are trying to achieve. If his plan is a few months with us and then piss off somewhere else then probably better to cut ourselves out of the equation altogether.

I don't actually believe any of these hacks know what is going on and I certainly wouldn't trust bookies odds as they will move on 20 quid either way.

I don't understand the lure of America, money isn't great (in terms of his past salaries), standard is pretty poor, travel is absurd and it will likely wreck his world cup prep.

[Joe Gillis]

Ralls is the one player who comes anywhere near the standard of the other two in our current squad. Hardly a name to ridicule.

That is a joke, right?

[Citizen's Nephew]

https://vimeo.com/723346328

Edit: this is just pretend, it's NOT real!

[Carl Dale's Mole]

https://vimeo.com/723346328

Edit: this is just pretend, it's NOT real!

Sorry, we couldn’t find that page

[blue matt]

Sorry, we couldn’t find that page

it might have been a photo of him at CSS with a city shirt in his hand ? ? ? ?

[Citizen's Nephew]

Sorry, we couldn’t find that page

It's public now! Until I'm told to take it down!

[The Lone Gunman]

I've read plenty of player interviews where they've said representing their country at the World Cup is the highlight of their career. I haven't seen much from Bale over the years to imagine him saying anything different after he retires. So being a few months away from the World Cup, I would think it's his primary focus.

I’m sure it’s his primary focus (and maybe his only focus) in football terms, but I’m sure he’s got other priorities in life. I get the strong impression that Bale’s next move is very likely to be his last. I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be focusing on more than just the World Cup.

[goats]

I’m sure it’s his primary focus (and maybe his only focus) in football terms, but I’m sure he’s got other priorities in life. I get the strong impression that Bale’s next move is very likely to be his last. I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be focusing on more than just the World Cup.

In a few years he can go on holiday all he likes playing the best golf courses in the world everyday, he can only play football for so long….

[Citizen's Nephew]

Bale Moves from Citizen's Nephew on Vimeo.

Disclaimer: This is not real (Madrid)!

[City123]

Why would he and his young family want to spend a couple of years in America when they can spend the rest of their lives in South Wales?

Good question….

Surely with a young family you'd rather pick somewhere you'll be living long-term, near the rest of your extended family rather than the other side of the Atlantic? I think you've made good points on why he'd go elsewhere, but surely family reasons is one of our few advantages?

[Madlock]

Paul’s post out me into a right old grump. Checking my wallet for the receipt for the cava to take it back to Co-Op

[Carl Dale's Mole]

If he doesn't sign at this point it's TLG's fault.

[The Lone Gunman]

Surely with a young family you'd rather pick somewhere you'll be living long-term, near the rest of your extended family rather than the other side of the Atlantic?

Let’s assume the offers from America are attractive in financial terms. Why would anyone like Bale who has just spent nearly a decade in Spain want to move back home now instead of embarking on another overseas adventure for a couple of years, especially as his career is drawing to a close? I’d imagine doing so would be an exciting idea for him and his family, but who knows? Only they do I guess.

[City123]

Let’s assume the offers from America are attractive in financial terms. Why would anyone like Bale who has just spent nearly a decade in Spain want to move back home now instead of embarking on another overseas adventure for a couple of years, especially as his career is drawing to a close? I’d imagine doing so would be an exciting idea for him and his family, but who knows? Only they do I guess.

Equally having spent time away they may want to return home rather than settle in to a new country, culture etc only to move away again if they want to live in Wales

[The Lone Gunman]

If he doesn't sign at this point it's TLG's fault.

It will be. I bought a season ticket for the first time in a decade a couple of months ago. The only way is down.

[Carl Dale's Mole]

It will be. I bought a season ticket for the first time in a decade a couple of months ago. The only way is down.

Great to hear you're BACK back

[ninian opinian]

It will be. I bought a season ticket for the first time in a decade a couple of months ago. The only way is down.

I thought you said you would never give a penny of your hard earned money to the club whilst Tan was in charge

PS welcome home

[Citizen's Nephew]

I thought you said you would never give a penny of your hard earned money to the club whilst Tan was in charge

PS welcome home

Mrs Citizen says this kind of thing to me all the time! I just reply "I'm allowed to change my mind!"

[TWGL1]

Mrs Citizen says this kind of thing to me all the time! I just reply "I'm allowed to change my mind!"

[superfeathers]

I think he'll sign to an MLS club on the condition he is then loaned to Cardiff until (their) next season
As much as i'd LOVE to see him here if it's not a full season then i'd rather not do it at all

[Baloo]

It will be. I bought a season ticket for the first time in a decade a couple of months ago. The only way is down.