'The offer is still on the table' - Rob McElhenney issues fresh plea to Gareth Bale to join Wrexham and makes golf promise to former Real Madrid star

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Bale retired from football in January 2023 at the age of 33, bringing an end to a glittering career. A few months later, Wrexham co-owner McElhenney tried to lure the winger out of retirement by joining the Welsh outfit. While that proved unsuccessful, the Hollywood owner has not given up on recruiting the ex-Los Angeles FC man.

He told The Athletic: “Gareth Bale is still technically available! I made the plea last year and I’m just going to tell Gareth that the offer is still on the table. We’ll let him play golf whenever he wants. Just as long he comes training and we’ll figure out how to get him in the team.”

Bale is, arguably, one of the greatest players of his generation. He won a host of La Liga titles, Champions League trophies, and more, and played at the highest level in the sport. However, it seems the 34-year-old is happily retired and it will take something very special to get him back playing again.

Wrexham, who have won promotion to League One since McElhenney tried to sign Bale for the Red Dragons, are preparing for life in the English third-tier - with their players set to return to pre-season in the coming weeks ahead of a pre-season tour of the United States.