Former Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale’s consortium has tabled a formal bid of £40million for Welsh club Cardiff City, according to reports.
The bid is expected to be rejected by the Bluebirds’ Thai businessman owner, Vincent Tan, however it has signalled a clear intent from the 35-year-old.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star is extremely keen to purchase Cardiff despite their League One status, and is expected to go back with an improved offer, reports The Times.
Bale was recently spotted at the premiere of F1: The Movie and confirmed his interest in buying his hometown club.
Gareth Bale recently confirmed at F1: The Movie that he was interested in buying Cardiff City
Getty
He said: "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.
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Cardiff City finished bottom of the Championship last yearGetty"It's 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."
He continued: “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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Bale’s investment is not the first time sports stars have partnered with US investment groups to purchase football clubs.
Tom Brady became a co-owner at Birmingham City, while American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas bought shares in Leeds United.
Former team-mate Modric announced he had partnered with a US firm to secure a minority stake in local rivals Swansea City, while NBA superstar LeBron James has held a minority stake in Liverpool previously.
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Swansea City is delighted to welcome @lukamodric10 to our ownership group.
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) April 14, 2025
Recognised as one of the finest players of his generation, Luka’s leadership, knowledge and passion for football will be key to the club’s ongoing development.
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Bale’s boyhood club, Cardiff, have endured a torrid time following their relegation from the Premier League in 2019.
After languishing in the Championship without truly threatening a return to England’s top division, their relegation to League One was confirmed in May this year after the club finished bottom of the league.
Tan bought the club in 2010, and oversaw the club’s promotion to the Premier League while also reaching a League Cup final.
Following this, the 73-year-old set about rebranding the club in an attempt to make them more popular in Asia.
That involved changing the club’s kit colour from blue to ‘lucky’ red, while also altering the badge from the traditional bluebird to a red dragon.
The Malaysian was also involved in public spats with then-boss Malky Mackay.
Bluebirds fans will be hoping Bale can be successful in his takeover bid and bring some stability to their club.
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