'Such a shame' - Alan Shearer makes Gareth Bale transfer claim amid Man United rumours

The Wales star has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid, with Man United said to be a potential destination

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has backed Gareth Bale to move back to the Premier League, but questioned where he fits in with the top teams.

The Wales football star has been in limbo over his future at Real Madrid in recent seasons, having not been a regular figure under manager Zinedine Zidane.

Bale has been linked with a return to the Premier League after hitting out at Real Madrid for "blocking everything at the last second" when he tried to move to China last summer, claims made in an explosive TV interview while on international duty.

Long-term admirers Manchester United are said to have rekindled their interest in the 31-year-old, as have Bale’s former club Tottenham Hotspur.

Shearer believes that Bale’s ability makes it a shame that he’s not a regular starter, but admits it would take a very wealthy club to be able to afford signing the forward.

“I think it’s such a shame that a player of his ability is sitting on the bench or in the stands every single weekend,” Shearer told Coral.

“He’s a fantastic player, still got lots to offer, whether that’s in another county.

“Without a doubt he could certainly still play in the Premier League, I know clubs have one or two concerns regarding injuries.

“The money that he’s on, will clubs be able to afford it, even more so given the current situation that we’re in.

“Someone of his ability shouldn’t be sat wasting away on the bench, his ability should be playing every single week.

“It’s a shame that he’s having to do that, and playing for Wales, albeit 45 minutes and then 90 minutes, still doing well enough, still got plenty to offer.

“I hope somewhere along the line he can get back playing football and hopefully that can be in the Premier League.

Sign up to our football newsletters now!

Want the latest Cardiff City or Swansea City news straight to your inbox?

Join hundreds of Bluebirds and Swans fans in getting the breaking news, transfer gossip and big interviews sent to your inbox on a daily basis.

Sign up to either the Cardiff or Swansea newsletter below and then each day at 4pm you'll receive a handy round-up of all the day's latest news with links to read the full articles.

All you have to do is click here and select the newsletter you want.

The best part? It's completely free!

“Whether he goes back to Spurs, there’s been talk of Manchester United in recent seasons, but he should be playing somewhere.”

Shearer continued: “He possibly wouldn’t walk into all the teams in the top six in the Premier League, it’s going to take a wealthy club to be able to afford a transfer fee and a salary to get Bale there.

“Whether clubs can do that outside the top six remains to be seen, but he’s got to be playing football rather than being sat on the bench.”