
Gareth Bale makes takeover approach to buy former Premier League club from unpopular owner following Plymouth links
GARETH BALE wants to buy hometown club Cardiff.
The Wales legend is leading a consortium to take over the League One side.
3
3
Bale's group sent a letter of intent to Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan last month, which was rejected.
But it is believed the desire to acquire the club, relegated from the Championship, remains strong.
The 35-year-old was born in Cardiff and his uncle Chris Pike played for the Welsh club as a striker between 1989 and 1993.
Bale, who had a glittering career for Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and LAFC as well as for the Dragons, had been linked with a takeover at Plymouth.
He led his country to their first World Cup since 1958 as well as appearing at two Euros finals, including the incredible run to the 2016 semi-finals.
Bale is also Wales' most-capped player on 111 caps and record goalscorer after netting 41 times.
He did not play for Cardiff but the ex-forward did have talks with the club in 2022 after he left Real.
Instead, Bale went to LAFC before he officially retired in January 2023.
Bale's potential investment in Cardiff comes just weeks after ex-Spurs and Real team-mate Luka Modric became a co-owner of south Wales rivals Swansea.
Cardiff appointed Brian Barry-Murphy this week ahead of their first campaign in the third tier since 2003.
Watch hilarious moment Gareth Bale's golf ball stolen by a DOG as baffled Real Madrid legend watches on
After Omer Riza was sacked in April, Wales star Aaron Ramsey was interim boss for three games.
But Bale's close pal is set for a move to continue his playing career in Mexico.
3
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
High street giant to shut UK store TODAY after announcing 33 shop closures with hundreds of jobs at risk
A MAJOR clothing retailer is set to shut down a branch today - ahead of 33 more store closures. It comes as part of a proposed restructuring plan that aims to save the company from insolvency. River Island in Banbury, Oxfordshire is set to close on June 28, as shoppers will now have to travel to Rugby or Oxford to visit a brick-and-mortar shop. It's part of a wider plan to close 33 branches across the UK, affecting hundreds of jobs. River Island also wants its landlords to cut rent at an additional 71 stores that are struggling. The restructuring plan, developed with PricewaterhouseCoopers, will be put to creditors in August. A restructuring plan should help keep the company afloat and avoid insolvency. The decision was due to a shift in customers shopping online, as well as increased running costs. Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island said: "River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street. "However the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. "The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden. 'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability. "Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business. "We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.' River Island was founded in 1948 by Bernard Lewis and currently operates in around 230 stores, employing 5,500 people. It suffered losses of £33.2 million in 2023 after sales fell 19% according to the most recent set of accounts. The proposals will not affect trade creditors, employees at unaffected stores, or customers. Staff will be redeployed where possible to reduce job losses. The majority of the closures will come in January 2026. It comes as several major retailers struggle to survive on the high street. Popular clothing retailer New Look has already closed ten stores this year, with another two set to close in the coming weeks. Several banks have also undergone major restructuring plans - as NatWest is closing 55 stores this year, and Santander closes 95. After Poundland sold for £1 earlier this month, the company announced an upcoming 68 store closures. 2


The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka bury the hatchet with TikTok dance at Wimbledon
Any lingering speculation about animosity between tennis stars Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka has been decisively put to rest, as the pair delighted fans by dancing together at Wimbledon and sharing the moment across social media. The two, who recently contested the French Open final, were seen showcasing their moves on the hallowed Centre Court grass. Sabalenka posted a clip on Instagram, captioning it: " TikTok dances always had a way of bringing people together," as they grooved to C+C Music Factory's 1990 hit "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)." Gauff, a frequent TikTok user, also shared a video of them outside the All England Club's main stadium, lip-syncing to a track. She wrote: "OK, guys, we're back. Did you miss us? 'Cause we missed you." She also added a clear message to fans, stating: "the olive branch was extended and accepted! we're good so you guys should be too." The No. 1-ranked Sabalenka and the No. 2-ranked Gauff held a practice session together at Centre Court ahead of the year's third Grand Slam tournament, which begins on Monday. Three weeks ago, Gauff beat Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in the championship match at the last major, the French Open. Afterward, Sabalenka drew criticism from some for saying Gauff 'won the match not because she played incredible; just because I made all of those mistakes from ... easy balls'. In a press conference, Gauff said she did not think Sabalenka's comments were fair. 'The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final,' she said. 'Her being No. 1 in the world was the best person to play, so I think I got the hardest matchup just if you go off stats alone.' Later, Sabalenka called her comments 'unprofessional' and said she had written to Gauff to apologise. 'I absolutely regret what I said back then. We all make mistakes. I'm just a human being who's still learning in life,' she said. 'I think we all have those days when we lose control. The difference with me is the world is watching.' Sabalenka, a 27-year-old from Belarus, is a three-time Grand Slam champion and was the runner-up both times Gauff, a 21-year-old American, won a major trophy, including at the 2023 U.S. Open. At Wimbledon this year, they only could face each other in the 12 July final.

Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Wales star Hannah battles back from tough ACL injuries
Cain bounced back after tearing anterior cruciate ligaments in November 2021 but then suffered another horror injury two years later to leave her career in danger. 'The pain of the second one was a lot worse,' Cain told the PA news agency. 'The first one I did my ACL. The second one I did ACL, meniscus, and fractured my femur when the ACL ripped off. 'It was pretty hefty, very painful. Horrendous. When I was on the floor I remember saying to the manager (Gemma Grainger), 'I can't believe I've done it again'.' Asked if she had concerns over her career, Cain said: 'I did a little bit. Not so much the fact I'd had the injury, it was more so mentally. 'Could I come back? Did I want to come back? It was a lot tougher mentally than it was physically.' Cain's return from her second ACL coincided with Wales' march to their first major tournament under Rhian Wilkinson in Switzerland this summer. The 26-year-old scored the opening goal from the penalty spot as Wales beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 in the decisive second leg of their Euros play-off final in December. She said: 'I knew I was on penalties before the game, but kind of forgot at first. 'I had a moment of panic as I thought: 'Right, this is the biggest moment in Welsh history and it's got to go in' – and obviously it did. 'Knowing I could make an impact in such a big game was an unbelievable feeling.' Doncaster-born Cain began playing football with her brother in the park at the age of four, and says she persuaded her mother to continue after telling her 'ballet was not an option'. Qualifying for Wales through her grandfather Bob, Cain joined the national set-up at the age of 14 but switched allegiance and represented England from under-17 to under-21 level. 'I had a bad foot injury and I didn't think international football was for me,' said the Leicester player. 'But then Gemma, who I knew from the England youth set-up, asked me to come back and play for Wales. 'I came down to watch a game with my grandad and he kept saying, 'you've got to do it'. I phoned Gemma the next day and said, 'Yeah, get me in. I want to do whatever I can to help'.' Cain is now set to meet England at the Euros, with France and the Netherlands completing a challenging group. 'I probably know most of the England squad,' said Cain. 'I've played with a couple of them at different clubs and keep in touch with Chloe Kelly as we were good friends at Everton.' Wales kick-off their tournament against the Netherlands in Lucerne on July 5. Their remaining two games are in St Gallen with France on July 9 and against reigning European champions England on July 13.