Transfer window : I’m not joining Getafe, that’s for sure, says Bale

Gareth Bale dismisses the notion he will join Spanish club Getafe after leaving Real Madrid.

The forward and his Wales team-mates are preparing for Saturday’s Nation’s League encounter against Belgium in Cardiff after securing World Cup qualification against Ukraine last Sunday.

The Wales forward has called on football’s governing bodies to prioritise player welfare above money.

The 32-year-old warned there would be consequences if the congested football calendar seen in 2022 continues.

Bale, who is a free agent after being released by Real Madrid, added he is looking for regular club football next season to prepare for the World Cup.

“They need to look after players, without the players there is no product,” said Bale.

“There will be consequences in the long term, people’s bodies can’t deal with that kind of calendar year after year.

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“Something has to change, the people at the top of the game have to do something, but unfortunately money comes into it.

“It’s a business at the end of the day, but for player welfare the money needs to be overlooked.”

Wales face Belgium in the Nations League on Saturday, a fourth fixture in 10 days, before travelling to Rotterdam to play the Netherlands next Tuesday.

In May, Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne was critical of the scheduling of international fixtures so soon after the end of the club season, and described the Nations League as “unimportant”.

Bale called for the number of games to be reduced to help protect players.

“Someone mentioned to me over lunch the other day that Kevin de Bruyne could play 79 [games] next season after just a three-week break,” he said.

“It’s too much, things obviously need to change, every player will tell you there are way too many games.

“It’s impossible to play at a high level for that amount of games.”