'A dream come true': Gareth Bale hopeful of Cardiff takeover

Former Wales captain Gareth Bale is hopeful that a bid to purchase Cardiff City that he is involved in will succeed.

Bale - who is Wales' all-time leading goalscorer - has confirmed that he is part of a consortium bidding to purchase a controlling stake in the club.

Reports last week suggested that a group approached owner Vincent Tan with a takeover proposal but the Malaysian business owner is thought to have little interest in selling at this time.

It is assumed that the group will now follow-up on the initial approach and launch a second bid with Bale describing the proposition of involvement with his boyhood club as a 'dream come true'.

The former Real Madrid star told Sky Sports: "We are interested in getting Cardiff. It's my home club, it's where I grew up and my uncle used to play for them.

"To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true.

"It is a club close to my heart. It's where I grew up and I would love to be able to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs."

Before finishing his career with Los Angeles FC, Bale was linked with a move to his hometown club who were then competing in the Championship.

Bale added: "I know how amazing the Welsh fans and Cardiff fans are. It would be amazing to try and do something together.

"We are trying to engage with Cardiff and more news will come out on that in the future but hopefully we can get something done."

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Cardiff have experienced an up-and-down period both off and on the pitch in recent years with the club last competing in the Premier League in 2019.

The Bluebirds were then defeated in the playoff semi-final the following season before a gradual decline saw them relegated from the Championship last season.

Former player Aaron Ramsey oversaw the club's fall to League One but he has since left with Brian Barry-Murphy chosen as his replacement.

It appears that the 31-year-old has wasted no time getting to grips with his squad after it was revealed that Cardiff's captain and longest-serving player Joe Ralls would leave after 15 years at the Cardiff City Stadium.

In a statement posted on social media, Ralls thanked current owner Vincent Tan and Barry-Murphy for 'being completely honest with me'.

"It's incredibly hard to find the words after 15 years here... but the time has come for me to move on and for the club to go in a new direction," said Ralls.

The 31-year-old wasn't the only player to leave with 2024/25 Players' Player of the Season winner Andy Rinomhota also departing after the decision to renew his three-year deal was not taken up.

William Dobbie

• Cardiff City F.C.
• League One
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