Gareth Bale's future has taken a potential new twist with the bookies now tipping the Wales skipper to head to MLS this summer.
The 32-year-old's future has become the source of increasingly intense speculation in recent weeks, following his departure from Real Madrid on a free transfer earlier this summer. According to SkyBet, Bale is now 8/15 on to join 'Any MLS club' this summer, with odds for previous favourites Cardiff City now drifting to 7/4.
Premier League duo Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have similarly drifted to 16/1, while Getafe have still been placed among the runners and riders despite Bale himself appearing to rule out a move.
Cardiff are understood to be a genuine option for Bale this summer, with the player himself seemingly open to the idea of returning to south Wales ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Agent Jonathan Barnett has already admitted Bale's next move is unlikely to be driven by money. Indeed, it seems more likely his next destination will be decided with the World Cup firmly in mind.
Bale is desperate to ensure he gets the game-time needed to ensure he's at the peak of his powers for the tournament, and Cardiff clearly believe they are well placed to offer him the right environment to prepare himself.
However, there are believed to be offers from the Premier League too, while MLS has also long been mooted as a possibility.
Reports across the Atlantic even claimed Bale's representatives were speaking to DC United earlier in the summer, although this is the first time a move to the United States has been so heavily tipped by the bookies.
It's a move that would, in many ways, make sense, with the MLS season running up until October, with the MLS Cup final pencilled in for November 5 - 16 days before the start of the World Cup.
Odds in full
Any MLS club 8/15
Cardiff 7/4
Newcastle 16/1
Nottingham Forest 16/1
Getafe 20/1
Rangers 22/1
Tottenham 22/1
AC Milan 25/1
Aston Villa 25/1
Atletico Madrid 25/1
(Odds courtesy of SkyBet and correct at time of publishing)
