Gareth Bale has been lined up to front a takeover bid for League One side Cardiff City, according to reports.
Bale is looking to follow in former teammate Luka Modric’s footsteps after he partnered with a rival group to buy a minority stake in Cardiff’s local enemies, Swansea City.
The Welshman is said to have sent a letter of intent to Cardiff owner Vincent Tan last month, expressing their desire to take over Bale’s hometown club.
The Bluebirds are set to play their first year in the third tier of English football since 2003 following their relegation from the Championship last season.
Cardiff City finished bottom of the Championship this year
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Tan has faced stern criticism for his handling of the club, particularly with their recent relegation.
The Malaysian hit back at some of the criticism that said he has minimal contact with the club.
"To say I don't care is wrong and I strongly push back on that," his statement read.
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Vincent Tan has owned the club since 2010
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"I watch every game and speak to the board and manager before and after each one. My family will tell you: I kick every ball!"
The Malaysian businessman has had a controversial period as owner of the club.
Since buying the club in May 2010, Tan immediately set about rebranding the club, in an attempt to make the club 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.
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The Malaysian was also involved in public spats with then-boss Malky Mackay.
Recently, Aaron Ramsey returned to his hometown club on a reported £50,000-a-week contract, but he was unable to steer them from relegation.
In fact, the Welshman even shared the managerial duties during their final games of the season, but has since left the club for Mexican side Pumas.
Bale’s investment is not the first time sports stars have partnered with US investment groups to purchase football clubs.
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Gareth Bale was recently spotted on TNT SPorts' coverage of the Europa League final between former club Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United
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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.
It would also not be the first business venture for the Welshman, who has grown his net worth to a reported £120million since his retirement from football in 2023.
Despite earning in the region of £600,000-a-week at Real Madrid, Bale has grown his worth by opening a series of golf-inspired bars called ‘Par 59’, as well as making a “significant investment” into a local distillery.
Bale and Cardiff fans will be hoping the collaboration can bring significant additional funds off the pitch, and success on the pitch.
Brady’s Birmingham can be used as a perfect example, with the club investing significantly in players on the pitch.
The results showed, though, as they broke the record for the most amount of points in a single League One season to confirm their place back in the Championship after just one year.
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