Marco Asensio injury does not change plans to sell Gareth Bale, insists Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane
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ZINEDINE ZIDANE insists that Marco Asensio’s horror knee injury will not prevent him from selling Gareth Bale.
Spanish international Asensio was rushed to hospital with a suspected ruptured cruciate during last night’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in Washington.
Yet Zidane made it clear that Bale’s situation at the Bernabeu remains unaffected despite the Welshman scoring his team’s first goal last night.
He said: “Asensio went straight to the hospital for tests on his knee and it looks bad.
“We are all touched by Marco’s injury and we are all hoping it is not as serious as it looks, but it has nothing to do with Bale’s position.
“Bale has played a good game for us tonight and I am happy for him.
“The other day he did not want to play but today today he wanted to be a part of the game.
“It was my decision and he played well.
“At the moment he is still here with us and he has played a part so we will see what happens.
“But nothing has changed. You all know the situation. I will always tell you the same thing.”
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Zidane - whose side won the shootout against Arsenal - has confirmed twice this week that Real Madrid are actively trying to sell Bale.
A move to China - where he would become the first £1m-a-week footballer - looks the most likely option at this stage.
The winger's agent Jonathan Barnett insisted yesterday that his client will not leave the Bernabeu on loan.
Bale, who has won four Champions League medals with Los Blancos, still has three years remaining on his contract.
Barnett said: “There will be no makeshift deals to get him out of the club.
“Gareth is one of the best players on the planet. I can guarantee you he will not be going on loan to any club.
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"Gareth is a Real Madrid player and for now he’s staying as a Real Madrid player.
“If something comes along that suits us, then things could change and he could be gone in a day or a week.
"Or he could still be a Real player in three years when his contract ends."