Harry Redknapp insists Gareth Bale may need to take a paycut to seal Premier League return

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has said that Gareth Bale could seal his return to the English top-flight in the summer, provided he is willing to take a paycut on his hefty £650,000-a-week wages. The Wales international has been the subject of severe criticism from the Los Blancos faithful this season amid his failure to make regular goalscoring contributions this term.

Speaking to The Mirror, Redknapp admitted that Bale is not enjoying the best of times with the European champions, given he has recently been jeered on the field regularly by the club’s supporters. He added that the likes of Manchester United and ex-employers Tottenham Hotspur may be interested in signing him during the summer, though he may need to take a significant cut on his current salary.

“He said: “It’s not nice when you get grief from the fans. Nobody likes“ to get grief like that and I’m sure it’s no different for Gareth. He is a fantastic player, who can play anywhere, and it would be no surprise if the top clubs like Man United and Spurs were interested in signing him. But on the wages he is said to be on, he would probably have to take a pay cut.Take, for example, if he was to go back to Spurs. It could create a problem because someone like a Harry Kane is there and is the top man. "He’d perhaps want the same type of wages if “it was being offered“.”

Bale has enjoyed plenty of success with the Spanish giants over the past five-and-a-half years where he has won four Champions League crowns, one Copa del Rey and one La Liga title. However, he has still struggled with fitness concerns and that has become more prevalent over the past 20 months, where his performances have similarly dipped. Owing to this, there has been a general frustration from the club’s supporters, who have expected more from the Welshman after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.