The agent of Wales winger Gareth Bale has confessed that his country's hopes of reaching this year's World Cup will impact his decision on his immediate future.
Bale will leave Real Madrid this summer when his contract expires and rumours over his next move range from a switch to former employers Tottenham, to playing in the Championship with home town club Cardiff City and perhaps even retirement if Wales fail to make it.
A decision is not expected to come from Bale until after Wales' World Cup play-off final against either Scotland or Ukraine on 5 June.
Speaking to Record, agent Jonathan Barnett revealed that a move back to English football is the most likely option for Bale, but he stressed that everything depends on Wales.
"He's leaving Real Madrid, but we have to wait to see what Wales can do," Barnett said. "It all depends on whether Wales qualify for the World Cup, then we will make a decision, which may vary depending on whether or not Wales go to the World Cup.
"Is a return to England likely? I think so, but we'll have to wait and see if Wales qualify for the World Cup."
In a separate interview with WalesOnline, Barnett revealed that Bale's next move will have nothing to do with money and will instead be decided by what he wants to do.
"Finance will not come into this," the agent said. "He's already extremely wealthy. Gareth is probably the richest footballer Britain has produced. In any case, no club on earth would be able to pay what he's on at the moment. Gareth realises that. Money is not important to him.
"It will be down to where he wants to play, a personal choice - but only after the Wales games are out of the way."
This article was originally published on 90min as Gareth Bale's agent admits Wales' World Cup hopes will impact future.
Source: www.90min.com