Coutinho joins Bayern, Real Madrid set to beat Barcelona to sign Neymar, Alexis Sanchez makes shock exit decision and more: Transfer Roundup, 19 August 2019

Zinedine Zidane confirms Gareth Bale is staying

Zinedine Zidane and Gareth Bale

After drawing much flak for his insensitive comments about a Gareth Bale departure earlier this summer, Zinedine Zidane seems to have been forced by circumstances to put his faith in the Welshman. Bale was influential in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Celta Vigo in the season opener and Zizou confirmed that Bale will be staying at Real Madrid beyond the summer.

He said,

"We talked about it before the match, I think we talked about it two or three times to say that he is going to stay. And all the players that are here now are only thinking about this season.

"I think this is true considering the way Gareth performed, but not only Gareth. I think that everyone played a good game. All we have to do is to think about this season and I am sure that he and all the other players only think about staying here and play."