Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane doesn’t rate Gareth Bale as one of the top four players in the world.
That is the view of Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett.
Following the return of Zidane to the Bernabeu, Bale's future at Real Madrid was once again cast into doubt.
The pair's relationship was rocky during Zidane’s first spell in charge with the Welshman reportedly unhappy about being told how he should play the game.
And according to Barnett, the Frenchman doesn’t regard Bale as one of football's current elite players.
"I am not sure that Zidane wants him to stay, but at the moment Gareth wants to stay," Barnett said via Sky Sports.
"He has got a contract, he will quite happily see it out until 2022."
"He has been and is, in my opinion, one of the top three or four players in the world."
"This game is a game of opinions and Zidane doesn't think that."
"That is his opinion and he is entitled to it, I won't criticise him."
Several clubs in the Premier League are reportedly interested in Bale with Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea all keen on the 29-year-old.
However, a possible stumbling block to any deal could be Bale’s current salary of £14.5million per season.
Bale has made it clear he wants to stay in Madrid but Marca claim Zidane has personally told the player that he is free to leave.
The winger didn’t even make the bench for Real’s last match on Sunday.
Los Blancos beat Villarreal 3-2 and after the game Zidane addressed Bale’s absence.
“I’m the coach, I have to pick the team and that’s all there is to it " Zidane said.
"You can interpret it as you wish "
"I need to pick a squad of players and some are going to miss out."