Gareth Bale not leaving Real Madrid on loan, says agent Jonathan Barnett

Gareth Bale will not leave Real Madrid on loan this summer, his agent has told Sky Sports News.

The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane, who has "decided he can do without" Bale, according to Jonathan Barnett.

Real have already spent over £250m this summer on five arrivals as Zidane begins his rebuild and they are understood to be keen to offload Bale to balance their books.

However, Real's high-valuation, Bale's reported £600,000-a-week wages and the fact the winger is settled in Madrid make a departure difficult.

A loan move had been suggested as a short-term solution, but Barnett has ruled that out, saying "there's more chance of me winning at Ascot".

"A loan move is not going to happen," he said.

"I don't think he wants to go out on loan. He's got a lovely life and home in Spain. I think it would take something exceptional for him to leave and loans are not on the menu.

"Obviously, Gareth's situation at Real hasn't improved."

Bale has been a long-term target for Manchester United, but the Premier League club are no longer interested in signing the former Tottenham forward.

Asked about Bale moving to United, Barnett added: "He could fit in there. I think he could do very well - he is still one of the best players in the world. But it is very unlikely."