Five reasons why Real Madrid should sell Gareth Bale now

There is no going back, despite the fact everything seemed to have been repaired between Gareth Bale and Zinedine Zidane, it has all gone to waste in a matter of weeks.

From not selecting Bale for the Champions League clash with Club Brugge right through to his latest injury lay-off, there appears a disconnect between the player and the coach, and this is one of five reasons why Los Blancos must sell him in January:

1. His relationship with Zidane is irreparable

Everything appeared to have been changed after the summer. Bale played a lot of football early on in the season, but not being selected against the Belgian side appears to have distanced himself from the Frenchman once more. It now seems that this relationship is irreparable, something which makes his continuity with the club almost impossible. Surely this relationship can't be fixed for a second time. Even if they ignore the tension, it will explode at some point in the campaign, it's best that the pair are split up as soon as possible.

2. If he stays, it will be bad for the team

This type of situation doesn't only directly impact the player in question, as well as the coach, but the bad atmosphere that it generates in the dressing room. Despite the fact he has been a fundamental player for Los Blancos over the years, sometimes it's better to sell him for the good of the group.

3. His latest injury is surrounded by mystery

The Welsh winger was injured on October 13 playing with the Welsh national team. In principle it seemed only a minor injury, yet he hasn't returned to training with his club side. Over the course of his Real Madrid career he has missed very important games, this is the latest in a long-line of injuries, and this one is surrounded by mystery because he doesn't want people to know what the extent of the issue is.

4. Fans are distrusting of him

The Estadio Santiago Bernabeu has had a love-hate relationship with the player, he has been on the receiving end of whistles and boos on many occasions, but when he has played well he has also been applauded. Nobody disputes his footballing quality, but his commitment has been called into question by fans, not least in the wake of this latest injury episode. Fans are angry and there could be a real problem if he steps out onto the pitch again, there is clear anger towards him.

5. There is an offer from China

Bale already wanted to move to the Chinese Super League during the summer, but Real Madrid wouldn't allow the move to happen because they wouldn't have received a single euro in a transfer fee. Shanghai Shenhua has now returned to the fore and the player is wiling to leave, and it seems that Real Madrid are in a position where they would stand to gain even more by his departure. If his head isn't in Madrid then it would be best for him to depart.