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Bale 'could be shunted out to left back' to make room for new signings

  /  autty

Gareth Bale could be made to play at left-back if he remains at Real Madrid and no suitable offer arrives in the summer.

The Welshman has become a scapegoat at the Bernabeu for a poor campaign despite being the second top scorer with 14 goals.

And according to AS, if Bale stays at Real on his £350,000-per-week salary, Zinedine Zidane could move him to left-back.

Zidane and Bale are understood to have a strained relationship and the Frenchman wants to bring in reinforcements this summer.

Potential additions could push the 29-year-old down the pecking order and force him to compete with Marcelo for a role on the left side of defence.

Bale started out his career at left-back at Southampton before being deployed effectively as a winger to take advantage of his attacking prowess with Tottenham.

He joined Real in 2013 from Spurs and has won 14 trophies since but it seems the exit may be approaching.

Bale was booed again in the 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and Zidane defended him, saying: 'I don't know (why they do it). Honestly, I don't understand it.'

Given Bale's age, it would take a significant offer to lure him away but the prospect of being moved into defence may encourage the Welsh captain to move on in the summer.