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Released Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale won't rule out Cardiff move

Released Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale says he does not know who he will play club football for next season, but has not ruled out joining his hometown club Cardiff City.

Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman has flown into the UK to lead negotiations for the 32-year-old.

Bale says he is yet to decide who he will join and revealed he has several clubs vying to sign him.

"Making the right move with my next move is massively important," Bale said. "I have options."

Bale is available on a free transfer having left Real Madrid after nine years in Spain, during which he won five Champions League titles.

Last Sunday, his deflected free-kick secured Wales' 1-0 win against Ukraine and a place at the World Cup in Qatar, the country's first appearance in the tournament since 1958.

Bale, who is preparing for Wales' Nations League game in the Netherlands, says he will consult the national team's manager Rob Page and his physiotherapists before deciding where to play his club football.

Former club Southampton has been linked and he did not rule out dropping to the Championship to play for Cardiff.

"I can't really say (if Cardiff City is an option)," he said.

"I haven't thought too much about the future, it is something I need to talk about with my family, with the Wales manager and the Wales physios.

"I need to make sure I am playing games, that I am as fit as possible.

"Coming into this camp for example, I'd hardly had any game time at all.

"Ideally I want to be going into a World Cup playing games, being as fit as possible and being able to be as effective as I can, for as long as I can, on the pitch."

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