Newcastle United backed to complete Real Madrid mega raid by former Magpies coach

Former Newcastle United assistant manager Dean Saunders believes Real Madrid star Gareth Bale would be an ideal signing for the Magpies.

The Wales international will bring an end to his nine-year stay with the La Liga giants when his current contract comes to an end later this month.

Bale has enjoyed a remarkably successful stay in the Spanish capital helping Real to three La Liga titles, five Champions League Final wins, three UEFA Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups and a solitary Copa del Rey Final triumph.

The latter stages of his time at the Bernabeu has seen Bale receive negativity from Real supporters and local media, with Spanish news outlet Marca describing him as ‘a parasite’.

However, Bale showed no animosity towards the club when his departure was confirmed earlier this month.

In an open letter released on the Real website, he said: “To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and to be part of what it’s so famous for, to win the Champions League.

“I can now look back, reflect and say with honesty that this dream became a reality and much, much more.”

Bale has been linked with a number of clubs over the last year including former club Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

But former Newcastle coach Saunders insisted the Magpies could provide the perfect stage for Bale to return to the Premier League and prepare for the World Cup later this year.

“If I could pick a club for him to go to now, I’d say sign for Newcastle,” he told talkSPORT.

“They’ve got a project; they’re going in the right direction – he would slot in.

“The fans right now in Newcastle, because I’ve been there and I worked there – and I realise how much they love the club – right now they could sell 80,000 season tickets.”

Surprisingly, Championship club Cardiff City are currently favourites to complete a surprise move for Bale.