Arsenal reportedly made a bid to sign Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale ahead of the new season, but the Welshman is believed to have rejected their advances.

According to the Express, the Gunners tried their hand at signing the 28-year-old, who was rumoured to be on his way from the Santiago Bernabeu as a result of Isco’s form and Kylian Mbappe’s impending arrival.

But Real Madrid have no desire to let Bale leave, nor did the player want an exit from the capital. “The truth is that I do not read any of that,” said the former Tottenham man.

“Logically I am a British player and I am always linked with a return home. It happened with Beckham, with other Englishmen who came to Spain. Nothing new. I am happy playing in Madrid,” he added.

Bale has enjoyed a highly successful four years with Real Madrid, having won a La Liga title, Copa Del Rey, three Champions Leagues, a FIFA Club World Cup and two Super Cups.

The 28-year-old has scored 54 league goals in 100 games for Los Blancos and doesn’t look near to an exit this summer.

He helped lead Wales to the semi-final of the European Championships in 2016 and would likely never join Arsenal given the rivalry between the Gunners and his former club.