Tottenham Hotspur striker Gareth Bale has stated that he plans to return to Real Madrid when his transfer period expires at the end of the season.
The Welshman had fallen into disgrace at the Bernabeu with Zinedine Zidane and returned to north London on a one-season loan deal last year.
Bale will only have one year left on his contract with Real Madrid from the summer, and the possibility of extending his transfer had been considered for another season.
However, despite a recent rebound, the 31-year-old has struggled to keep fit with Jose Mourinho, and his future will surely be a topic of debate as the summer transfer window approaches.
“There is no distraction for me,” Bale said at a press conference ahead of Wales ’first qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup in Belgium.
“I think the main reason I came to the Spurs this year was to play football in the first place.
“When I entered the European Championship, I wanted to be fit. The original plan was to spend a season with the Spurs and after the Euro there is still a year left for Real Madrid.
“My plan is to go back, that’s what I planned.”
Bale has scored 10 times in 25 appearances with the Spurs this season, but half of those goals have come in cup competitions, although he has found the net four times in his last four appearances in the league.
In addition to Thursday’s meeting with Belgium, which will bring memories of Wales’ famous Euro 2016 win, Bale could be involved in matches against Mexico and the Czech Republic over the next fortnight as ‘intensify preparation for euros this summer.
“In recent years, this is probably the best fitness I’ve ever had,” he added.
“I feel fresh and ready to start. I always think that when things don’t go too well in a club, it’s good to get away, especially mentally, from the club environment.
“It can definitely be a benefit. We are focusing on these Wales matches, which are very important to us.
“We forget about club life and focus on that.”