Gareth Bale has again been linked with a summer move to Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Gareth Bale has again been linked with a summer move to Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Gareth Bale insists his preparations for Saturday’s Champions League final were not disrupted by renewed speculation linking him with a summer move to Manchester United.

The Wales international was introduced as a 77th minute substitute, his first appearance for eight weeks after missing the finale to the Spanish League season with a calf injury, as Real Madrid cruised to a 4-1 win over Juventus in Cardiff.

The victory represented Bale’s third Champions League success since his then world record move to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2013 but injuries and the emergence of Isco have seen his influence diminish this season.

Gareth Bale was introduced as a 77th minute substitute in the Champions League final (Picture: Getty)
Gareth Bale was introduced as a 77th minute substitute in the Champions League final (Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid are said to be eyeing Eden Hazard as a potential replacement for Gareth Bale (Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid are said to be eyeing Eden Hazard as a potential replacement for Gareth Bale (Picture: Getty)

On Friday, reports claimed the Spanish giants were ready to sanction Bale’s sale this summer to free up funds for a potential bid for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

‘No i haven’t read anything to be honest, I don’t read anything so it doesn’t affect me at all,’ Bale told BT Sport when asked if the rumours had distracted him in the build-up to such an important match.

‘I prepared for the game like normal and as I said it’s been a difficult season, I understood the circumstances

‘I was happy I got on and happy to play a part.

‘What an incredible scene. The city has done an immaculate job in hosting a great event. To win this at home is a great feeling, it’s been a hard season, I’ve worked tirelessly to get fit and these are your rewards.

‘We have made history, we’ll enjoy this moment now.. We needed confidence at half-time, and we had to take our chances which we did.’

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