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Report: Bale hoping to end Real Madrid nightmare in January

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Gareth Bale has reportedly decided he has to leave Real Madrid to kick-start his sputtering career.

Months after a transfer to China fell through, Bale is hoping to seal a departure in January, sources told ESPN FC's Rodrigo Faez.

It remains to be seen which team would come to his rescue. Bale's high wages and injury record could make it difficult for him to strike an agreeable deal in a short four-week window.

Bale was all set to join Jiangsu Suning on a lucrative contract in June, shortly after Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane publicly called for the 30-year-old to find another club.

Despite the renewed speculation, Zidane said Tuesday he doesn't believe Bale is itching for a move.

"I don't think there will be an offer and I haven't thought about it either. Gareth is a Real Madrid player," Zidane told reporters. "What happened in the summer was the situation at the time and in the end Gareth stayed and all the better for everyone.

"It's true what was said didn't help but for me the result is the most important thing. He's an important player and it's important he plays and he plays well."

Zidane tried to make amends, starting Bale in six of Madrid's opening eight matches of the La Liga season, but a calf injury interrupted that spell.

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